Maheshwari V, Khan L, Mehdi G, Sherwani KA, Prasad S

The study was undertaken to highlight the diagnostic efficacy of cytomorphological findings in FNA smears of bone tumours, using imaging techniques to improve cellular yield. FNA was performed on 70 cases of bone tumours of which 53 cases (75.7%) were primary tumours and 19 (27.14%) metastatic deposits. Imaging techniques were used to localize deep-seated lesions which also enhanced cellular yield. The technique involved multiple aspirations with multiple oscillations per aspiration. Evaluation of FNAC as a diagnostic modality yielded a sensitivity of 95.2% and specificity of 75% with a diagnostic accuracy of 88%. The positive predictive value and the negative predictive values were 95.2% and 75% respectively. Hence FNAC was found to be a safe, cost effective, reliable and rapid tool for the diagnosis of bone tumours and useful in differentiating benign from malignant neoplasms. The success of this method of diagnosis is dependent on adequate clinical information, careful analysis of radiographs, use of imaging techniques for deep seated lesions, skilled aspirators and appropriate choice of stains.

Key words : Bone tumours, small round cell tumours, cytology