Fine needle aspiration biopsy of superficial sites in patients with hemostatic defects.

Abstract

To ascertain the incidence and types of complications of fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of superficial sites in patients with uncorrected congenital or acquired hemostatic defects. All patients with hemostatic defects who were seen in a community-based, private fine needle aspiration and medical laboratory practice were identified. Prospectively and retrospectively collected data concerning complications, biopsy findings and laboratory data on the hemostatic defects were collated and analyzed. Twenty-one patients encountered over a period of about nine years were identified. Warfarin sodium therapy was the most common cause of a hemostatic defect (12 patients), and lymph nodes were the most often aspirated structure (7 patients). Other than a small echymosis in one patient, there were no complications. FNAB of superficial sites using the technique described is a safe procedure in patients with uncorrected hemostatic defects.