Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Intraocular, Orbital and Eyelid Lesions

Background: fine-needle aspiration cytology (fnac) isused for diagnosis of intraocular, orbital and eyelid lesions.in this study we evaluated the outcome and the accuracy ofusing this technique in diagnosis of benign or malignant behaviorof lesions.methods: fnac was performed on 26 specimens obtainedfrom 25 patients with intraocular, orbital and eyel id tumorsand the results were compared with the histopathologic findingsin a prospective double-blind observational study.results: in 22 specimens (85%) a concordant definitive diagnosiswas established that comprised five retinoblastoma, fourbasal cell carcinomas, four inflammations and two dermoidcysts. all specimens were diagnosed as benign or malignantwith reasonable concordance. definitive cytologic diagnosiswas also made in two rare, if ever reported, conditions namelyorbital fibrous histiocytoma and eyelid leishmaniasis.conclusion: fnac seems to be a simple, rapid, relativelysafe and cost-effective technique with considerable diagnosticvalue in the assessment of selected ophthalmic lesions, especiallywhen sampling and interpretation are performed by experiencedpersonnel.