Experience of a tertiary care institute on the spectrum of fine-needle aspiration of hepatic nodular lesions from North India
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of hepatic nodular lesions is common to characterize hepatic lesions, and in this retrospective study, we analyzed the spectrum of primary and secondary hepatic lesions identified over 4 years. METHODS: This retrospective study includes FNAC smears of 162 cases of hepatic nodular lesions at our institute, spanning over 4 years (2018-2021). In all cases, Giemsa and Papanicolaou-stained smears were reviewed, and findings were correlated with available cell blocks and/or corresponding histology slides and immunocytochemical stains (in 145 cases). RESULTS: Out of 162 cases, a conclusive diagnosis was made in 159 (98.1%), and 3 cases remained inconclusive. Primary hepatic lesions were identified in 56 (35.2%) and metastatic lesions in 103 (64.7%) cases of hepatic nodular lesions. The commonest primary hepatic neoplasm identified was intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 22 (39%), followed by poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas 8 (14.36%) and neuroendocrine carcinomas 8 (14.3%). Out of the metastatic nodular liver lesions, primary gall bladder carcinomas 29 (28.2%), followed by pancreatic 20 (19.4%), and large bowel cancers 13 (12.6%) were the most common. Two (1.2%) metastatic spindle cell neoplasms were identified, one from a uterine leiomyosarcoma and the other gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis of aspirated hepatic nodular lesions showed that metastatic hepatic nodules are twice as common as primary hepatic lesions. Based on classical radiological findings, the most identified aspirated liver lesion was intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Although rare, metastatic mesenchymal tumors can also be identified in aspirated hepatic nodular lesions.
Institution: All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409128291