In recent years, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has become a widely accepted procedure in the diagnosis of bone lesions. Rapid progress in immunocytochemistry and molecular genetics has increased the role of FNAC in the investigation of primary bone lesions. The purpose of this book is to facilitate the cytological evaluation of FNA smears from skeletal lesions and to provide diagnostic criteria based on the combined evaluation of clinical data and radiographic and cytological features. The major aim is to thoroughly describe and illustrate the most common entities as well as the diagnostic use of ancillary techniques. A number of rare primary bone tumours/lesions are also illustrated.

The selection of entities illustrated in this comprehensive manual is based mainly on experience with patients referred to the Musculoskeletal Centre in Lund, Sweden, which now comprises smear data from approximately 1000 skeletal tumours/lesions collected between 1966 and 2006.

This publication will be a valuable resource for pathologists, cytopathologists, radiologists, oncologists and orthopaedic surgeons involved in the work-up and management of patients with bone lesions.