How fine needle aspiration biopsy allows to avoid extensive surgery. A case of abdominopelvic actinomycosis

A case of abdominopelvic actinomycosis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy is reported. The patient, using an intra-uterine device for five yea rs, had a pelvic mass infiltrating the left ovary and five hepatic masses. Cytological smears prepared from an ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiratio n biopsy of one of the hepatic masses, showed actinomycotic granule. In the literature, few cases of abdominopelvic actinomycosis diagnosed by fine ne edle aspiration biopsy are reported. This affection, able to simulate a neo plasia on clinical and radiological grounds, is usually diagnosed on the hi stology of the surgical specimen. Ultrasound and computerized tomography al lows to guide fine needle into necrotic areas where the probability to meet actinomycotic granules is maximum and so to avoid an extensive surgery.