Fine needle aspiration biopsy
Introduction
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a cost-effective procedure that can be performed on cutaneous, subcutaneous, or internal masses and internal organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidney.
- Aid in diagnosis of etiology of superficial masses and enlarged lymph nodes by cytologic evaluation.
- Two basic techniques are typically used for this procedure: aspiration and non-aspiration.
Uses
- The procedure can provide a cytologic sample for a rapid presumptive or definitive diagnosis and often can be repeated if necessary with minimal trauma to the patient.
Advantages
- Rapid method of diagnosis.
- Simple - requires minimal equipment.
- Can often be performed on conscious unsedated patient.
- Often yields definitive diagnosis.
- Non-aspiration technique:
- The reduction of blood contamination when sampling highly vascular tissues.
- This method is especially useful for obtaining cytologic specimens from the liver, spleen and kidney.
Disadvantages
- In some cases, sample may be non-diagnostic or mis-representative of lesion.
- May spread infection along line of needle insertion.
- Hemorrhage may occur if blind insertion of needle encounters large blood vessel.
Technical problems
- Requires some experience to obtain consistently reliable samples.
Alternative techniques
- Surgical biopsy and histopathological examination (more sensitive and gives information about tissue architecture).
- Impression smear of lesion.
Time required
Procedure
- 5-10 min - longer if more than one mass is sampled.
Decision taking
Criteria for choosing test
- Enlarged nodes or superficial masses.
- Select mildly rather than grossly enlarged nodes as the latter may have necrotic centers.
Risk assessment
- Minimal risk except with intrathoracic masses where lung tissue may be damaged by technique → pneumothorax.
Requirements
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Preparation
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Technique
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Aftercare
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Campbell T W (2015) Cytology Sampling Techniques and Evaluation. In: Exotic Animal Hematology and Cytology. 4th edn. Wiley-Blackwell. pp 346-347.
- Heard D, Harr K & Wellehan J (2004) Diagnostic Sampling and Laboratory Tests. In: Manual of Reptiles. 2nd edn. Eds: Girling S J & Raiti P. BSAVA, UK. pp 71-86.