Computed tomography guided fine needle aspiration cytology of thoracic lesions: A retrospective analysis of 114 cases

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to retrospectively analyze the age, sex, topographic distribution, the size, cytopathological diagnosis, the diagnostic accuracy and complications of thoracic mass lesions using CT-guided FNAC. The results will be compared with other published studies Materials and Methods: Retrospective hospital based descriptive study in Tertiary care setting in an Indian hospital. The clinical, radiological and cytological data of 114 patients were studied who underwent CT guided FNAC from Nov 2008 to Aug 2013. Results:- Of the 114 cases there were 96 parenchymal lesion, hilar 13, mediastinal 4 and one pleural. Definitive cytological diagnosis was obtained in 100 cases. Diagnostic accuracy in our study was 87.7 %. 43 cases were malignant of which Adenocarcinoma was the most common type. 22 cases were diagnosed as lesions that were consistent with Tuberculosis. 3 cases developed pneumothorax(3.14%) of which one required treatment and 2 cases(2.28%) had hemoptysis. Conclusion CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple and safe procedure with high diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of Lung cancer. Has great potential in confirming smear negative pulmonary Tuberculosis.