Fine Needle Aspiration
Also written as FNA.
a) Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) — a needle and syringe are used to aspirate cells directly from the lump for cytological examination.
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) (Topic IX)
- Definition: Minimally invasive procedure using a fine needle (22–25 gauge) to aspirate cells from a mass/lesion
- Technique: Needle inserted, negative pressure applied, cells aspirated onto slide
- Indications: Thyroid nodules, lymph nodes, breast lumps, soft tissue masses
- Advantages: Rapid, inexpensive, minimal trauma, outpatient procedure
- Limitations: Small sample, no tissue architecture (unlike core biopsy), operator-dependent
Read this in CRUSH COURSE YEAR 3 SEM 1 WORK (Part 1)
What our notes say
- a) Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) — a needle and syringe are used to aspirate cells directly from the lump for cytological examination. (Pathology Practical Revision Guide)
- A fine needle aspiration biopsy of the masses is performed. (Chemical pathology and Endocrine pathology — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Fine needle aspiration is performed and fluid is obtained. (Breast mcqs — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- The most common side effect of fine needle aspiration is (General Pathology MCQs: Fixatives, FNA, Endocrine & ARDS)
- Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is insufficient for primary diagnosis as tissue architecture is required. (Lymphoma Overview and Classification)
- Confirmatory investigation: fine needle aspiration cytology, thyroid function tests, thyroid ultrasound (Pathology Practical Revision Guide)
Study material on Fine Needle Aspiration
- Chemical pathology and Endocrine pathology
- Breast mcqs
- General Pathology MCQs: Fixatives, FNA, Endocrine & ARDS
- cytopathology and histopathology essays
- Cytopathology vs Histopathology CAT: Definitions & Lab Basics
- Skin & Breast Pathology MCQs: Dermatological Lesions & Diseases
- CRUSH COURSE YEAR 3 SEM 1 WORK (Part 1)
- Oncopathology & Histopathology Answers
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Classification, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment — Practice Questions
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Classification, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment — Practice Questions
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Classification, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment — Practice Questions
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Classification, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment — Practice Questions
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Classification, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment — Practice Questions
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Classification, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment — Practice Questions
Practice questions on Fine Needle Aspiration
A patient presents with a solitary thyroid nodule that is firm, fixed, and causes unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is suspicious for malignancy. What is the next best step?
- Observation and repeat FNA in 6 months
- Levothyroxine suppression therapy
- Radioactive iodine scan
- Surgical excision (lobectomy or total thyroidectomy)
Answer: D. A solitary thyroid nodule with suspicious FNA findings, especially if fixed or causing vocal cord paralysis (suggesting local invasion), warrants surgical excision. Radioactive iodine scan is useful for 'cold' nodules (low uptake) to assess for functional autonomy, but surgical excision is indicated for suspicion of malignancy. Levothyroxine suppression is generally reserved for benign nodules. ---