Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of ovarian cysts, especially in in vitro femZzation (IVF) parients, has been only rarely reported
The aim of this study was to describe the spectrum of cytological findings seen in FNA specimens of 125 ovarian cysts obtainedfrom 84 N F patients at our institution from 1989-1993. The Papanicolaou-stained slides made following cytocentrifuge or membrane-filter preparption were reviewed blindly by two independent pathologists, and the consensus diagnoses were compiled and correlated with clinical and radiologicalfindings as well as surgicalpathology when available. Eight aspirates derivedfrom 4 different patients contained neoplartic cells and, of these, one patient was later found to have a serous cystademcarcinoma of low malignant potential, while another had a serous cystadenoma. The other 2 patients with neoplastic cells in their ovarian aspirates have persistent ovarian cysts that are being followed clinically forpreservatwn offertility. Thc breaMavn of the cytological diagnoses of the other aspirates is as follows: 30 follicular cysts, 5 corpus tuteum cysts, and 16 endometriotic cysts. The exact underlying nature of 66 cysts could not be determined as the aspirates consisted of foamy macrophages only. This study &monstrates that the namre of ovarian cysts in N F patients can be determined in many cases by their cytological features, information that may help in defining an unsuspected cause for infem'lity (such as endometriosis), and in choosing the most appropriate therapy. This study also illustrates that FNA cytology of ovarian cysts can p h y a role in the detection of occult ovarian neoplasm in thc N F patient population. Diagn Cytopathol 1996;15:341-344.