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Spindle‐cell lesions of the liver: Diagnosis by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy
Author(s) -
Guy Cynthia D.,
Yuan Shan,
Ballo Michael S.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.2011
Subject(s) - medicine , fine needle aspiration , pathology , hemangioma , biopsy , hepatocellular carcinoma , angiosarcoma , radiology , leiomyosarcoma , cytopathology , malignancy , cytology
Rarely, spindle‐cell lesions in liver fine‐needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) are encountered. A retrospective review of our experience with lesions that are mesenchymal in origin or appearance was undertaken to elucidate the frequency and spectrum of these lesions. Image‐guided liver FNABs performed over a 3‐year period (n = 585) at our institution (1996–1998) were retrospectively evaluated. Cytologic smears, cell block preparations, and clinical follow‐up of lesions with spindle‐cell morphology were reviewed. Twenty‐nine of 585 cases were of spindle‐cell morphology (5%). Hemangiomas (n = 12, 41%) and metastatic sarcomas (n = 6, 21%) comprised the largest categories, followed by granulomatous inflammation (n = 3, 10%). Other cases included primary angiosarcoma and fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. The most frequent spindle‐cell liver lesion encountered is hemangioma, followed by metastatic leiomyosarcoma and granulomatous hepatitis. Awareness of diagnostic possibilities, special attention to specimen adequacy, and use of ancillary procedures can maximize diagnostic yield. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2001;25:94–100. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.