Evaluation of Fine Needle Capillary Sampling in Superficial and Deep-Seated Lesions

Abstract

To study the efficacy and merits of a simplified cytologic technique of fine needle capillary (FNC) sampling in 670 cases. FNC sampling was tested on a consecutive series of 600 superficial palpable masses and 70 deep-seated lesions during the period January 1993-September 1993. Among superficial masses, sampling was done on 380 lymph nodes, 88 breast lesions, 56 thyroids, 12 salivary glands and 64 miscellaneous sites. Fifty-five lung lesions were sampled using 8 computed tomography, while 15 abdominal masses were sampled using ultrasonography. Cell samples were assessed as diagnostically adequate or inadequate. The diagnostic adequacy in lymph node, breast and thyroid lesions was 95%, 91.07% and 90.09%, respectively. The diagnostic adequacy for deep-seated lesions was 91.42%. The procedure gives a better perception of tumor consistency and control of the hand. FNC resulted in a high yield of good-quality material with retention of cellular architecture. It is recommended that the operator become familiar with the macroscopic slide appearance of a cellular smear. Doubts persist with respect to fibrotic and cystic lesions.