KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The study aimed to describe the 41-gauge silicone fine-needle aspiration technique and assess its value in diagnosing PVRL.
- The results suggested silicone fine-needle aspiration biopsy may effectively diagnose PVRL, requiring further research for optimal use.
Mojca Globočnik Petrovič and the team aimed to detail the 41-gauge silicone fine-needle aspiration biopsy (S-FNAB) technique and evaluate its effectiveness in diagnosing primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL).
The study conducted a retrospective review of seven consecutive patients who underwent vitreous biopsy (VB) and 41-gauge S-FNAB of retinal or subretinal lesions at a single tertiary center from January 2012 to March 2023.
The results showed that S-FNAB confirmed the diagnosis of PVRL in 6 of 7 patients. In 5 cases, both VB and retinal/subretinal S-FNAB, performed during the same procedure, yielded positive results, with retinal thickness at the biopsy site as low as 231 µm.
About 4 of these patients had previously received one or more negative VBs. In 1 case, S-FNAB was positive despite a negative VB. The S-FNAB did not confirm positive VB for PVRL in the remaining patient. The time from symptom onset to PVRL diagnosis varied from 18 days to 26 months. No severe complications were associated with the procedure.
The study concluded that silicone fine-needle aspiration biopsy may be an effective method for obtaining viable cell samples to diagnose PVRL. It can be used as a primary procedure in conjunction with VB. Further research is needed to explore the most beneficial applications of this technique.
No funding information was given.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39167580/
Globočnik Petrovič M, Vrabič N, Prevodnik Kloboves V, et al. (2024). “SILICONE FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION RETINAL BIOPSY: A Novel Surgical Technique for Vitreoretinal Lymphoma.” Retina. 2024;44(9):1590-1596. doi:10.1097/IAE.0000000000004161
