Abstract
Over 18 months (1987-1988), we performed 141 ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations (US-FNA) on 134 patients. Abnormal cytology was seen in 94 samples, of which 82 were malignant lesions (50 primary, 29 secondary and three unclassified). Tuberculosis was found in seven specimens. Tissue biopsy or aspirate culture confirmed the cytological diagnosis in 26 of 28 patients. No complications were encountered in this series. In conclusion, US-FNA was helpful in diagnosis of intraabdominal masses. Aspiration from focal liver lesions was the most frequent procedure and had the highest diagnostic yield.