Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology: An Effective Diagnostic  Tool in Pulmonary Medicine

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and safety of fine needle aspiration cytology performed under ultrasound guidance. Study Design: Comparative prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Pulmonology Out-Patient Department, Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, from Jun 2018 to Dec 2019. Methodology: One hundred and twenty-four patients of age 10-80 years, with pulmonary, mediastinal, pleural or chest wall lesions, fulfilling the minimal fitness criteria were included. Aspiration was done by a 23-gauge needle, smear made, and fixed slides were sent to the Cytology Department for evaluation. Complications were monitored. Findings were recorded on preformed proforma. Results: 121/124(97.6%) aspirates were adequate while 03 cases (2.4%) were reported not representing the lesion. Fifty cases (41.3%) showed malignant cytology, 71/121 aspirates (58.7%) were non-malignant. A specific cell type could be characterized in 84.5% non-malignant and 68.0% malignant aspirates. Complications were a few drops bleeding at needle aspiration site in 7.5 % and minor pain in 12.0 % patients. Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration cytology under ultrasound guidance is an effective and safe diagnostic tool in pulmonary medicine.

Keywords

• Cytology, Efficacy, Fine needle aspiration, Lung, Ultrasound guidance