Alaka Sahu1, Santosh Gudaganatti2, Swetalina Pandey3
BACKGROUND
Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an easy, minimally invasive and useful
investigation, and is considered important next to imaging in the rapid diagnosis
of lung neoplasm for the last few decades. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the role of image-guided FNAC in pulmonary neoplasm, analyse the
results and correlate with cell block histopathological findings.
METHODS
This is a cross sectional study conducted over a period of two years, involving fifty
patients. All the clinical and radiological data were studied from the consenting
patient. Then they underwent image-guided FNAC. The cytology smears and cell
blocks were evaluated simultaneously to stick out a definitive diagnosis.
RESULTS
Out of all the 50 cases, we found the necessary FNAC smears and cell block
material only in 41 cases. The age range varied from 18 to 90 years with a peak
in the fifth to sixth decades. Benign lesions were 4 and malignant were 23 as
shown by cytology study. Malignancy was proved in 27 cases in histopathology.
The most common tumour was adenocarcinoma (41 %) followed by squamous
cell carcinoma (19.5 %). Complications after the procedure were minimal and were
noted only in two cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Image-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of lung tumours provide
uncomplicated, cost effective, and a rapid method, for reaching a reliable diagnosis
for lung neoplasms with minimum complication.
