Fine needle aspiration biopsy of retinal tumors.

Abstract

Although there is enough literature on fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of uveal tumors, the same is not true for retinal tumors, possibly because of the paucity of clear indications and guidelines. Certain general indications and contraindications for FNAB have been formulated based on a review of the literature of published studies [1, 2]. We have listed those that are relevant to retinal tumors (table 1). It has to be emphasized that FNAB is recommended only in highly selected cases where there is a true diagnostic dilemma after all possible clinical investigations including an opinion by an expert ocular oncologist have been obtained. In this chapter, we review such specific indications that may warrant FNAB of frequently encountered retinal tumors.