Aspiration biopsy cytology of primary bone lesions.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of 79 primary bone lesions was done, and the clinical and radiologic features were correlated with cytopathology. Seventy-four of these cases were primary malignant bone tumors, two cases each were tumor-like or inflammatory lesions, and one case was a benign bone tumor. Osteosarcoma (37.7%) and Ewing's sarcoma (15.6%) were the most common primary lesions. Correlation with histopathology was possible in 37 cases, and an accuracy rate of 94.1% was achieved. There was an 89% correlation between radiologic and cytologic diagnoses. It was concluded that in this oncology center a working diagnosis based on cytology was possible in almost all cases after correlating with the radiologic findings. However, when there was a discrepancy between the clinical, radiologic and cytologic diagnoses, an open biopsy was mandatory.