| FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION
 This technique began to flourish in the 1950s and 60s, especially in Europe. Early pioneers of this procedure helped establish it in the UK, the Americas, Japan, and Australia. This service is now a part of virtually all sophisticated departments of pathology in the U.S.
The technique is relatively painless, fast, and inexpensive. The risk of complications is extremely low. A diagnosis can be rendered in minutes rather than days. Its accuracy, when applied by experienced well-trained practitioners, can approach histopathology in providing unequivical diagnosis.
This method is applicable to palpable lesions (such as those listed in the table at the right), and is similar to that performed under radiologic guidance for deep lesions.
The two fundamental requirements for successful FNA are a representative sample and high quality preparation of material obtained. Clinical history and correlation with other tests are also vital elements. Every doctor may succeed in acquiring material, but to achieve an ideal standard, experience is essential. Drs. VanHoose, Rumsey, and Townsend have performed over one thousand of these procedures. They trained under Dr. William J. Frable at the Medical College of Virginia, one of the pioneers who introduced this method to the United States. |