2013 Volume 136 Pages 70-74
Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) has been adopted as a simple and cost effective method for cytological studies of head and neck tumors. Recently fine needle nonaspiration biopsy (FNNA) has been reported to provide better specimens. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of the two techniques. During a 2-year period, 92 cytological examinations were conducted in patients with head and neck tumors. Biopsy sites studied included thyroid tumors (n=63), lymph nodes (n=25) and salivary gland tumors (n=4). Fine needle biopsies were performed in each lesion with 23-gauge needles, and results were analyzed by a single pathologist. Specimens from 9 patients (9.8%) were inadequate with both techniques. Six (7.3%) of 83 were insufficient specimens with FNA and 5 (6.0%) of 83 with FNNA. Insufficient specimens were obtained at 4 (7.2%) and 2 (3.6%) of 55 thyroid tumors, and 2 (8.3%) and 3 (12.5%) of 24 lymph nodes with and without aspiration, respectively. All specimens from salivary gland tumors were sufficient for diagnosis. The causes of insufficient specimens were blood contamination in the thyroid tumor with FNA and some amount of cellular material in the lymph node with FNNA. No statistically significant difference was noted in diagnostic yield between the two techniques. We concluded that FNNA is equal to FNA in the cytological studies in head and neck tumors. Double sampling may reduce inadequacy rates to low levels and be useful as a routine policy.
