Efficacy of Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Cytology in Differentiating Malignant and Benign Ovarian Cysts

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the diagnostic efficacy of fine needle aspiration cytology between neoplastic and non neoplastic ovarian cysts and to verify the cytological diagnosis of aspirated fluid with histology of excised cyst. This was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore from February 2003 to February 2005. It was an analytic study. A total number of 55 patients were included in the study. They were selected on the basis of ultrasonographic examination and having unilocular and non septate ovarian cysts. Ultrasound guided aspiration of cysts was done followed by excision. The cytology of fluid was correlated with histology of excised cyst. Results: Follicular cysts were seen in the highest percentage followed by haemorrhagic luteal cysts, serous cyst adenomas and serous cyst adenocarcinomas. Conclusion: Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of ovarian cysts is a feasible alternative to surgery for benign cysts of the ovary.