Fine needle aspiration cytology of orbital masses.

OBJECTIVE

To review our experience with fine needle aspiration of orbital lesions.

STUDY DESIGN

Over an eight-year period, 24 orbital fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples were recorded, 22 of them adequate for interpretation.

RESULTS

There were two benign tumors. There were 14 malignant tumors, 5 primary, 8 metastatic and 1 malignant and originating in the nasal cavity, invading the orbit. In two cases the original tissue diagnosis was incorrect and was revised by the fine needle aspirate. There were six nonneoplastic cases. In one case an infectious agent was identified, and another showed atypical lymphoid cells. Of the two nondiagnostic cases, one was compatible clinically with an orbital pseudotumor, and the other had no available follow-up. A specific diagnosis was achieved in 18 of 24 instances, or 75% of the cases.

CONCLUSION

FNA is useful in the workup of an orbital lesion, leading to prompt diagnosis and treatment.