Fine needle aspiration biopsy of recurrent and metastatic osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy in evaluating local recurrence or disseminated metastases in patients with osteosarcoma. STUDY DESIGN: Cytology files from Saint Louis University Hospital and Indiana University Medical Center were searched for patients with osteosarcoma who had undergone FNA biopsy for evaluation of local recurrence or disseminated metastases. clinical information was collected and all aspirate smears reviewed. RESULTS: Six FNA biopsies in five patients were procured by either the percutaneous or radiologically guided method. All six aspirates were diagnostic. Cytologic features showed a discohesive, cellular neoplasm with intermediate to large cells and oval to spindle nuclei. Chromatin was coarsely granular, with single or multiple nucleoli. Aspirate material included multinucleated giant cells and a variable amount of "osteoidlike" extracellular matrix. CONCLUSION: FNA biopsy is accurate, and these results reflect its ability to diagnose osteosarcoma when there is local recurrence or widely disseminated metastases.