National Journal of Laboratory Medicine. 2016 Oct, Vol-5(4): PO01-PO07 1 Original Article DOI: 10.7860/NJLM/2016/20690.2160 ABSTRACT Introduction: Evaluation of abdominal masses may pose difficulty in surgical practice. Distinction between malignant, benign and inflammatory lesions is vital for patient’s management. Hence, use of minimally invasive techniques under radiological guidance with pathological correlation is gaining popularity as a means of diagnosing abdominal lesions. Aim: To assess the pathological spectrum of abdominal lesions and to determine the diagnostic efficacy of minimally invasive techniques. Materials and Methods: Total 102 consecutive patients with clinically or radiologically diagnosed abdominal lesions excluding pelvic masses were evaluated by minimal invasive techniques like direct or guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) by 22-24 gauge needle and Tru-cut biopsy (TCB) by Geotex automated gun with 18 gauge needle. Statistical analysis was done by 2x2 contingency table by comparing the test diagnosis with the gold standard diagnosis. Results: Majority (n=32) of lesions were from liver (31.3%) among which metastatic carcinomas were most common followed by primary, next in frequency belonged to gall bladder 17 (16.6%). Among all abdominal lesions, maximum cases were malignant followed by benign and inflammatory. sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall diagnostic accuracy of FNAC and TCB were 100% each and 90%, 100%, 100%, 83.3%, 93.3% respectively. No serious complications were observed after these procedures. Conclusion: Minimally invasive techniques are simple, safe and efficient procedures for making an accurate diagnosis in abdominal lesions and helps in choosing the appropriate management. INTRODUCTION Intra-abdominal lesions are a challenge in surgical practice. Diagnosis is dependent upon the use of ancillary tools like percutaneous sampling and advanced radiological imaging that have enabled the detection and localisation of lesions in sites not easily accessible to surgical biopsies [1]. Currently, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) using 20-25 gauge needles and Fine Needle Core Biopsy (FNCB) using wide bore 18 gauge needle or Tru-cut biopsy needle are commonly accepted methods for obtaining diagnostic material under radiological guidance. Both techniques are safe, simple, rapid and efficacious diagnostic modalities in providing cytological and histological diagnosis in various space occupying lesions of abdomen [2]. Fine needle Tru-cut biopsies (TCB) provide better sample quality and lower insufficient sampling rate without an increase in the complication rate. Biopsies in addition have an advantage of preservation of tissue architecture necessary for diagnosing and sub typing of tumours. Further histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques can be applied wherever required [2,3]. Complications like haemorrhage, septicaemia, peritonitis, pneumothorax and tumour seedlings after FNAC though rare are reported in literature [4]. Cytological and histological examinations are complementary in assessment of abdominal lesions. However, there are conflicting data in literature regarding the accuracy and usefulness of these techniques. Few clinicians prefer FNAC and recommend biopsy in diagnostically challenging cases, while others recommend core biopsy alone. These discrepancies may be due to variations in the type and location of lesion being aspirated or biopsied [2]. Pathology Section Keywords: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC), Radiologically guided, Space occupying lesions (SOL) ,Tru-cut biopsy (TCB) SHIWANGI GARG, RANI BANSAL, SHWETA GROVER, SAMEER VERMA, MAMTA GUPTA, SHEFALI VERMA Clinicopathological Correlation of Abdominal Lesions for Assessment of Diagnostic Efficacy of Minimally Invasive Techniques