Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of orbital masses: A study of 41 cases

Background: Complexity in the anatomy of orbit and the fear of globe rupture are the main challenges faced in the diagnosis and typing of orbital masses. Fine needle aspiration cytology can be used as an initial investigative procedure in the evaluation of orbital masses, which in turn can aid the clinician to plan the treatment modalities. A close cooperation between ophthalmologist and pathologist adds to the success of the procedure. Aim: The study was conducted in an attempt to evaluate the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of orbital lesions as a cost-effective diagnostic technique, and to assess its diagnostic efficacy by comparing it with histopathological diagnosis. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 50 patients, over a period of 3 years, who had presented with anterior orbital mass lesions with or without proptosis, and with those having accessible mass lesions. Patients with proptosis without anterior orbital masses, proptosis due to dysthyroid ophthalmopathy, arteriovenous fistulas, hamartomas and choristomas were excluded from the study. FNAC procedure was done after explaining about the procedure to the patient, and in the presence of an ophthalmologist. Results: Majority of patients belonged to the age group 50-59 years. Male: female ratio was 1.05: 1. The most common lesion on FNAC was non-Hodgkins lymphoma, [13 cases (31.7%)]. 11 (26.8%) cases out of this were confirmed to be non-Hodgkins lymphoma on histopathologic examination. Two cases turned out to be inflammatory pseudotumor. Conclusions: FNAC can be done in all palpable orbital mass lesions with minimal risk and complications, with close cooperation between ophthalmologist and pathologist. A good degree of correlation was obtained between FNAC and histopathology, which was assessed by kappa statistics.