FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY OF RECURRENT AND METASTATIC OSTEOSARCOMA

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) biops y in evaluating local recurrence or disseminated metastases in patient s with osteosarcoma. STUDY DESIGN: Cytology files from Saint Louis Uni versity Hospital and Indiana University Medical Center were searched f or patients with osteosarcoma who had undergone FNA biopsy for evaluat ion of local recurrence or disseminated metastases. clinical informati on was collected and all aspirate smears reviewed. RESULTS: Six FNA bi opsies in five patients were procured by either the percutaneous or ra diologically guided method. All six aspirates were diagnostic. Cytolog ic features showed a discohesive, cellular neoplasm with intermediate to large cells and oval to spindle nuclei. Chromatin was coarsely gran ular, with single or multiple nucleoli. Aspirate material included mul tinucleated giant cells and a variable amount of ''osteoidlike'' extra cellular matrix. CONCLUSION: FNA biopsy is accurate, and these results reflect its ability to diagnose osteosarcoma when there is local recu rrence or widely disseminated metastases.