Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy diagnosis of costal juxtacortical chondrosarcoma presenting as an abdominal mass

Abstract

The majority of chondroid tumors arising in the cortex of bone are benign in nature. Juxtacortical chondrosarcoma is a relatively uncommon variant of chondrosarcoma, which by definition, is a malignant cartilaginous tumor that occurs on the surface of bone and measures at least 5 cm. Although the diagnostic value of fine-needle aspiration biopsy is well established, its role in the diagnosis of soft tissue/bone tumors is still not uniformly accepted. Herein, we describe an interesting and controversial case of costal juxtacortical chondrosarcoma presenting as a large intraabdominal mass in a 52-year old female patient, which was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Diagnostic benefits and cost‐effectiveness of on‐site imprint cytology adequacy evaluation of core needle biopsies of bone lesions

“…According to the published literature, FNAB has a lower diagnostic rate when compared with core needle biopsies, but there is not enough evidence to conclude that one modality is superior to the other in all lesions and settings . FNAB has been accurate for the diagnosis of bone and soft tissue lesions in large clinical centers with experienced personnel available for performance and interpretation . In many other centers because of the wide variability in sensitivity, specificity, and inadequacy rates of FNAB, CNB is considered the procedure of choice …”

“…To overcome this problem, immediate on‐site cytological adequacy assessment of CNB is routinely practiced in many institutions. However, the adjuvant role that OCA plays during these procedures will depend not only upon the characteristics of the sampled tissue but also upon the clinical and radiological features of the lesion of concern since, as it is well‐known, the diagnosis and sub‐classification of bone lesions in cytology as well as in histology will require close radiological correlation …”

“…A limited number of studies performed on cytologic preparations of bone lesions concur that the diagnosis of malignancy and the separation of benign and malignant process are satisfactorily achieved. However, sub‐classification of malignant primary bone tumors, the diagnosis of benign entities, and low‐grade malignant bone tumors, remain problematic . Furthermore, a CNB rendered inadequate during OCA may prompt additional passes, which may not be necessary; increasing costs, procedure time, and the risk of complications such as infection, bleeding, and fractures in these patients …”