Fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma

Background: Fine needle aspiration is an accurate technique to diagnose met astatic melanoma. Few reports exist in the literature describing its useful ness in many patients with melanoma confirmed by open biopsy. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility and predi ctive value of fine needle aspiration in patients with malignant melanoma w ho presented with lesions suspected to be metastatic. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 99 cases of fine needle aspiration and the corresponding histologic findings obtained by open biopsy in 82 patien ts. Results: Of the 99 cases, 86 were positive for melanoma, 12 were negative, and one was indeterminate. The positive predictive value of fine needle asp iration was 99%. One patient had a false-positive diagnosis. Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration is a rapid, accurate, and minimally inva sive procedure that is useful in the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. Pati ents with a positive aspirate of palpable regional nodes can proceed direct ly to surgery, bypassing the need for an open biopsy.