Evaluation of Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Ovarian Masses with Histopathological Correlation

Abstract

Background: Preoperative cytodiagnosis of ovarian masses is a difficult process, and sampling of pelvic masses is quite easier after the improvement of imaging techniques. Though histopathology is the gold standard, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) under ultrasound (US) guidance can be a valuable tool for pre-operative diagnosis of ovarian lesions, especially in the hands of an experienced pathologist. Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the role of US-guided FNAC in pre-operative cytological diagnosis of ovarian masses in comparison with histopathology, and to assess the pitfalls and limitations of cytological interpretation. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted over a 2-year period on 70 cases of ovarian masses, which were evaluated by US-guided FNAC. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic efficacy were calculated using histopathology as gold standard. Results: On cytological evaluation, non-neoplastic cysts, and benign and malignant ovarian tumours were diagnosed in 8, 18 and 40 cases, respectively. On histopathology, 62 cases were concordant with cytology. Sensitivity and specificity were 95.23 and 95.83%, respectively, in the present study. Diagnostic accuracy was 93.94% in respect to the correct diagnosis. Cytohistological discrepancies and limitations of the study are discussed. Conclusion: US-guided FNAC has proved as a quick, economic and safe procedure in diagnosing ovarian masses with brilliant accuracy.

Performance of ovarian cyst fluid fine‐needle aspiration cytology

“…The results of the current study are comparable to those of most other studies (Table ) . The high sensitivity seen in the studies by Pal et al and Uguz et al most likely are due to the high prevalence of malignancy in their study populations.…”

“…The results of the current study are comparable to those of most other studies (Table ) . The high sensitivity seen in the studies by Pal et al and Uguz et al most likely are due to the high prevalence of malignancy in their study populations. It is interesting to note that for the purposes of the current study, none of the cases was considered as nondiagnostic because a volume of fluid was submitted for cytologic evaluation in all cases.…”

“…Some known limitations of ovarian cyst FNA include low sensitivity for borderline tumors and false‐positive results from follicular cysts . Previous studies have yielded controversial results regarding the cytologic‐histologic correlation, with diagnostic sensitivity ranging from 0.25 to 0.95 …”

Ovarian needle aspiration in the diagnosis and management of ovarian masses

“…In prior studies, sensitivity rates of ovarian aspiration and needle biopsy varied widely from 25% to 100% [56789101112131415161718192021222324252627]. We reported sensitivity of ovarian needle biopsy to be 75%, which is within the range of prior studies.…”

A Histopathological Study of Ovarian Lesions

“…[8] The definitive diagnosis of all ovarian cysts is made histologically. [9] The prognosis of benign cysts is excellent compared to malignant ovarian carcinoma. Most germ cell tumours if diagnosed in early stage has good outcome.…”