Needle aspiration

Needle aspiration, also known as fine-needle aspiration (FNA), is a diagnostic procedure used to investigate lumps or masses. In this technique, a thin (gauge, typically 21 to 25), hollow needle is inserted into the mass for sampling of cells that, after being stained, will be examined under a microscope (biopsy). There could be cytology exams performed on aspirates such as Pap smear.

Procedure

The patient is positioned in a way that makes the mass accessible via the skin surface. The skin over the mass is swabbed with an antiseptic solution. A local anesthetic may be introduced. A fine needle is inserted into the mass. The material collected is spread onto slides, stained and then examined under a microscope.

Uses

Fine-needle aspiration is mainly used for diagnosis of abnormalities such as breast lumps or swollen lymph nodes. If a lump can be felt, the needle is aimed at the lump. If the lump can't be felt easily, the needle is guided by radiology techniques such as ultrasonography or CT.

Risks

The procedure is relatively safe with rare complications. One risk is that the needle will not extract a good sample of the abnormal cells because it missed the tumor or because the needle was too small to get a good sample.

See also

• Biopsy
• Cytology
• Histopathology

Needle aspiration Resources
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