Some hepatologists prefer 16-18 G core needle biopsies (CNB) whenever the situation permits (7-8). Although the histologic material allows for appreciation of architecture, spatial

relationship and home tissue, and more material is available for performing ancillary tests, the wider bore needles are shorter and less flexible. Furthermore, there is a greater risk of bleeding amongst other contraindications/complications. Complementary cytohistologic approach is strongly recommended. In fact, many radiologists perform FNAB and CNB at the same sitting nowadays. It is always advantageous to have rapid-on-site examination (ROSE) (9,10). This Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical cytology service allows for rapid assessment of sample adequacy on air-dried Diff-Quik-stained smears prepared from aspirates/tissue core touchpreps; and triage of samples for microbiologic studies, flow cytometry and molecular tests. Cytologic specimens include conventional air-dried and alcohol-fixed smears stained with Giemsa and Papanicolaou stains, respectively, and cytospin smears from needle rinses. Histologic specimens can be prepared from core biopsies, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical microcores (from FNAB), and cell blocks (from retrieving particulate matter from FNAB). Immunohistochemical panels are routinely performed (11-16). The role of liquid based cytology in the context of FNAB of liver mass lesions Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical has yet to

be fully explored (2). The major indication for performing FNAB/CNB of focal liver lesions is to establish a malignant diagnosis in patients with clinically or radiologically suspected neoplasia or for staging in patients with known tumors at other sites (17). Nowadays, advances in imaging techniques have obviated the need for tissue confirmation in classic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (18). Routine radiologic surveillance of high-risk patients, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical such as those with cirrhosis due to hepatitis B and C or alcohol, has enabled detection of increasingly smaller and smaller liver nodules of indeterminate status. Under other circumstances, FNAB is performed after locoregional ablative therapies for nodules that have Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical shown partial/no response. However, with personalized targeted molecular therapy where

intra- and extratumoral tissue are required for molecular signature studies, FNAB has a big role to play as point of care in the future management strategy of patients with liver tumors, especially HCC (19). The diversity of focal liver lesions is due to the anatomical and functional complexity of the organ. Primary diffuse/focal hepatic pathologies as well as extrahepatic/systemic Ketanserin conditions affect the liver. A kaleidoscope of morphologic patterns exists. One generic pattern can be caused by more than one etiology and vice versa. Therein lies the diagnostic challenge in handling small tissue samples of liver mass lesions. There may be developmental or acquired, selleckchem solitary or multiple, and cystic or solid nodules. The spectrum ranges from cysts, abscesses, regenerative nodules to tumors and tumor-like lesions.