Abstract

DIAZ, Aurora et al. Diagnóstico citológico de lesiones focales intra-abdominales en pacientes que acuden al servicio de gastroenterología del Hospital Central universitario “Antonio María Pineda”: Barquisimeto-Estado Lara. Gen [online]. 2010, vol.64, n.4, pp.318-322. ISSN 0016-3503.

Introduction: Focal lesions in intra-abdominal organs comprehend a wide spectrum, resulting into a few or non-apparent consequences up to a significant damage of living standards, which might represent a severe condition associated with a bad patient outlook and high morbidity. Purpose: Determining the cytological diagnosis of intraabdominal focal lesions by puncture/aspiration with fine needle in patients attending the Hospital Central Universitario Antonio Maria Pineda’s (HCUAMP) Gastroenterology Service, at Barquisimeto, State of Lara. Methodology: A cross-sectioned descriptive research was developed; fine-needle puncture/aspiration was practiced on all patients with intra-abdominal focal lesions who attended the HCUAMP’s Gastroenterology Service between July-September 2008, excluding those who did not show a safe routing for the needle, scarce approachability to the lesion, coagulation disturbances, severe thrombocytopenia, skin infection on the puncture area, acute neurologic diseases, critical or terminal stage, and uncooperative patients. Results: 62% of patients with intra-abdominal focal lesions were female, and 38% were male. 54% of patients were between 40 and 69 years old. The most frequent intra-abdominal lesions were: Liver, 84%; Pancreas, 10%; retroperitoneum, 4%; and Spleen, 2%. Cytological category was 30% benign, followed by 23% malignant; and 7% probably malignant, while 37% did not report pathologic cytological findings. The most frequent cytological diagnosis in benign lesions was 65% of abscess. From the patients with lesions categorized as malignant, 62% presented a cytological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma; 15%, Carcinoma; 15%, neuroendocrinal epithelial neoplasm; and 8% Lymphoma. No complications were present. The non availability of pathologist at the time of sample collection was the main limitation. Conclusions: The puncture/aspiration by ultrasound-guided fine needle in intraabdominal focal lesions is a rapid and efficient diagnosis alternative, rendering high specificity, low complication risk and besides it can be performed in outpatient mode.

Keywords : fine-needle puncture/aspiration; intra-abdominal focal lesion; ultrasound.