Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

    Background & Aim: The indications for fine needle aspiration(FNA) cytology of ovarian cysts are controversial. Some authors contend that the procedure is never justified since diagnostic accuracy of the method is low. The others contend that FNA of the ovarial lesion has a useful role in the evaluation of persistant ovarian lesion in the premenopausal women who wish to preserve fertility. The aim of this study was the assessment of diagnostic value of aspiration cytology in ovarian mass lesion. Patients & Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study, during a 2-year period, the cytology of 79 aspirates from women between 20-56 years of age was examined. Ovaries submitted for pathologic examination were then grossly examined. Fluid was removed by needle aspiration and prepared for cytologic examination. The cytologic findings categorized as non-neoplastic(follicular & non follicular cyst) and neoplastic(malignant & benign) were then correlated with histologic findings. SPSS software and chi-square test were used for data analysis. Results: Thirteen out of 15(86%) malignant lesions were correctly diagnosed as malignant by cytology & there were 4 false positive results. On the other hand, 15 out of 25 (60%) follicular cysts were correctly diagnosed by cytology and there were 8 false positive results. In malignant lesions sensitivity was 86% and specificity was 91%. In follicular cyst, sensitivity and specificity were 60 & 81% respecitively. Conclusion: Aspiration cytology is an accurate predictor of malignancy in ovarian lesion but one should not rely on cytology alone. It is difficult to distinguish between follicular and non follicular lesion by cytology alone and ancillary study such as hormonal study(estradiol) must be used for improvement of diagnostic accuracy of the procedure.