Non-aspiration Technique Research Articles

Comparison of Aspiration versus Non-Aspiration Techniques in Fine-Needle Cytology of Thyroid Lesions

Abstract Background Thyroid nodules are frequent among the general population. Ultrasound is the most commonly used imaging technique in the evaluation of thyroid nodules, Fine needle cytology (FNC) has been routinely used as the baseline investigation for diagnosis of nodular thyroid disease. Its advantages include minimal invasion and high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Objective To compare the diagnostic quality of FNC sample obtained by aspiration versus non- aspiration techniques, aiming to improve the overall quality of FNC and hence better evaluation of thyroid nodules avoiding repeating FNC and unnecessary thyroidectomies. Patients and Methods Our study was conducted on 40 adult patients with thyroid nodules, whose ages range between 25 and 70 years old and were referred to undergo FNA procedures. Results 40 patients with thyroid nodules were included in this study, our results showed statistically significant improvement in overall quality of the samples obtained by the non-aspiration (FNNAC) technique with less cellular trauma, less background blood, better preservation of cellular architecture and less cellular degeneration, however, there was no significant difference in the amount of the cellular material obtained and shows statistically significant difference regarding the diagnostic quality of the samples with more diagnostically superior samples were acquired by the FNNAC than by FNAC (50% and 5% respectively), while FNAC acquired more diagnostically adequate samples than FNNAC (75% and 50% respectively), non-diagnostic samples were only 20% with FNAC and 0% with FNNAC. Conclusion Both aspiration and non-aspiration techniques can be implemented and used for acquiring cytology samples, however, non-aspiration technique (FNNAC) was associated with overall better-quality samples with statistically significant better performance compared to FNAC. Non-aspiration technique is more convenient for both the patient and for the operator.

Effect of needle gauge on pain and specimen quality of ultrasound-guided fine needle sampling without aspiration of the canine spleen.

Modifications of splenic parenchyma are common ultrasonographic findings in dogs. Splenic fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a rapid, safe procedure, routinely performed in veterinary institutions. However, 22-gauge (G) needle usually reported is selected according to general practice and the most appropriate needle size to be used remains unclear. The aim of this prospective, single-center, methods comparison study was to assess the effect of needle size on cytologic specimens' evaluation and animal welfare during the procedure. Dogs underwent ultrasound-guided splenic FNA using 23, 25, and 27G needles. Needles were compared based on initial and then detailed cytologic evaluation. The initial evaluation assessed overall cellularity, cell preservation, hemodilution, and detailed cytologic evaluation referred to exhaustive splenic components. Welfare evaluation was performed based on a scoring system. A total of 54 dogs were included in this study with 54 of 54 welfare evaluations and 35 of 54 cytologic evaluations by one or two European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology-certified cytologists. The final cytologic diagnosis was unchanged regardless of the needle size. For the initial evaluation, 23G needles provided significantly higher cellularity than the 27G needles. For detailed cytologic evaluation, only the richness in mesothelial cells and stroma was affected by needle size. Pain induced by the procedures was considered low using 23, 25, and 27G needles with the 27G needle producing the least adverse reactions. Findings from the current study supported using needle gauges smaller than the previously published standard 22G needle for spleen ultrasound-guided fine needle nonaspiration in dogs. Due to higher cellularity and lower pain scores, authors recommend the use of 23G needles with a nonaspiration technique.

How accurate is fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for thyroid lesion: A correlation of FNAC with histopathology.

Indian population have large number of cases with deranged thyroid profile and swelling. Clinically apparent thyroid swelling in general population is 4% to 5%. Excising all the thyroid lesions is impracticable. Thus, final-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) serves as the initial diagnostic test for the evaluation of thyroid swelling. The main purpose of FNAC is to differentiate the benign lesion from malignant ones, thereby reducing unnecessary surgeries. This study was conducted to establish a cytohistopathological correlation. FNAC of thyroid swellings was performed using 22G or 23G needle by aspiration or nonaspiration technique, preferable nonaspiration one. A proper correlation of the history, clinical presentation, thyroid profile, and cytopathology report was made, which helped us to make a proper diagnosis. All the cases that required surgery were planned for appropriate surgery and the resected specimen of thyroid was again sent to our department for histopathological examination. FNAC was performed on 39 patients (4 males and 35 females). The age group of patients were in the range of 11 to 60 years with a mean age of 38.60 years. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and its variants were the most common in our study. Out of 39 surgeries performed, 19 (48.71%) specimens were found to be malignant. Among these 19 malignant cases, the highest number of malignancies were of PTC and its variants (14 cases). Statistical analysis showed sensitivity-90.91%, specificity-94.12%, positive predictive value-95.24%, negative predictive value-88.89%, and accuracy-92.31%. FNAC being cost-effective, patient-friendly, quick result along with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy makes it an initial diagnostic tool for preoperative evaluation of patients with thyroid swelling.

A novel, versatile cannula for vitreoretinal surgery: Bapaye aspiration scraper - Initial experience.

The induction of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is an important step in the successful outcome of vitreoretinal surgery for various indications. This may pose a significant challenge intraoperatively in cases of strong adhesion between the posterior hyaloid and retina. Various techniques to achieve intraoperative PVD have been described which involve active aspiration as well as non-aspiration techniques to achieve a plane of separation between the posterior hyaloid and retina. Very frequently, combinations of these techniques might be necessary to achieve successful PVD induction. We describe a novel instrument that combines aspiration as well as non-aspiration techniques for PVD induction, Bapaye aspiration scraper. It is also useful in various vitreoretinal interface procedures due to its design and is compatible with small-gauge vitrectomy systems which are commonly used in modern vitreoretinal surgery.

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration versus non-aspiration techniques in the evaluation of solid thyroid nodules

BackgroundComparison between the Fine Needle Non-Aspiration Cytology (FNNAC) and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) in acquiring ultrasound-guided fine needle cytology (FNC) samples from solid thyroid nodules to determine the better technique, hence improving the sample quality aiming to decrease the number of unnecessary thyroidectomy operations.ResultsProspective study showed statistically significant increase in cellular yield, preservation of cellular architecture and decrease in cellular trauma along with statistically significant increase in total sample quality with FNNAC (P value = 0.32, 0.004, 0.011, 0.21 respectively), and statistically insignificant difference in background blood in the sample (P value = 0.8).Regarding sample convenience, FNNAC was found to be more convenient for both the patient (syringe is not seen by the patient reducing discomfort) and for the operator (better handling of the needle and fewer maneuvres).ConclusionsFNC is an approved sensitive and cost-effective method to evaluate thyroid nodules, FNNAC technique was found to be more convenient for both the patient and the operator with statistically significant improvement in total sample quality compared to FNAC.

Comparison of fine-needle cytologic diagnosis between the left and right liver lobes of dogs and cats with diffuse liver disease.

Background and Aim:Ultrasound-guided fine-needle sample collection for cytology with manual restraint is frequently used for the primary assessment of diffuse liver disease in veterinary patients in Thailand. For better diagnosis, repeated collection of samples ensures the collection of adequate, representative samples, which increase diagnostic accuracy. However, in those that are unable to receive general anesthesia, it is difficult to collect the samples from several liver locations in manually restrained dogs and cats. The study aimed to compare the cytologic diagnosis of the ultrasound-guided fine-needle non-aspiration technique between the left and right liver lobes in dogs and cats with neoplastic and non-neoplastic diffuse liver disease.Materials and Methods:This prospective study included 25 client-owned dogs and cats with diffuse liver diseases. Two liver samples were randomly collected from the left and right liver lobes under ultrasound guidance for cytologic examination. All slides were subsequently examined blindly by experienced pathologists for cytologic analysis with cytologic agreement scores (CASs).Results:Among all 50 samples obtained from ultrasound-guided fine-needle sample collection of the left and right liver, 78% were diagnostic and 22% were non-diagnostic. In the diagnostic group, 73.3% of fine-needle samples had concordant results between the left and right liver, which exhibited 100% cytologic agreement in lymphoma and 63.6% in non-neoplastic groups. Samples collected from the left liver had slightly higher CAS and higher cytologic quality than had those from the right liver lobe (p=0.053).Conclusion:The location and number of sample collections did not have a significant difference in the cytologic diagnosis of diffuse liver disease, especially in patients with lymphoma. For manually restrained patients, one time ultrasound-guided non-aspiration cytology procedure from the left liver lobe not only decreased restraint duration and minimized tissue trauma but also allowed for an adequate cytologic diagnosis in diffuse liver disease compared to multiple collections.

Study on role of cytology in diagnosis of head and neck lesions in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Head and neck lesions are commonly encountered in patients across all age groups. This region encompasses a multitude of congenital, inflammatory or neoplastic lesions. FNAC is a clinically appropriate procedure associated with minimal trauma and complications for patients for analysis of head and neck swellings because of factors such as easy approachability of the target site, increased compliance and helping to avoid surgery in non-neoplastic lesions, inflammatory conditions and also some tumors. Objective: This study is undertaken to assess the accuracy of cytopathological diagnosis of head and neck lesions by FNAC and to correlate and analyze FNAC of head and neck lesions with that of histopathological study. Material and Methods: The present study was Laboratory based Cross sectional descriptive type of observational study. A total of 100 cases undergoing FNAC among the head and neck lesion were enrolled for present study. FNAC was done using 10 cc disposable syringe and 22/23 gauge needle taking all aseptic precautions. Both aspiration and non-aspiration techniques were used wherever required. Smears were stained with PAP, Haematoxylin-Eosin stain and Leishman stain. Zeihl-Neelsen staining for acid fast bacilli was done in suspected tubercular lesions. Results: Out of 100 patients lymph node lesions (46%) was the predominant site of FNAC. Out of 46 lesions of Lymph node; tubercular lymphadenitis was the most common pathological findings. Among 28 thyroid lesion Colloid goitre (45.5%) was the predominant finding. Out of 18 salivary gland lesions the most common lesion was pleomorphic adenoma. Out of 14 soft tissue and miscellaneous lesions benign lesions were commonest finding. Conclusion: FNAC is a simple, rapid and cheap diagnostic tool that can be done as an outpatient procedure with overall accuracy rate of more than 90 % which differentiates non-neoplastic lesions from neoplastic lesions thus avoiding unnecessary surgeries.

Utility of Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Fine Needle Aspirates

The present study was a two year prospective study of FNAC of total 158 palpable thyroid lesions, reported according to The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC). Out of 158 cases, 36 patients underwent surgical excision and cyto- histopathological correlation was done in these cases. Majority of the patients were females, with a ratio of female to male as 8.9:1. The duration of the palpable thyroid swelling in the present study ranged from less than 1 month period to more than 5 years. Size of thyroid swelling varied from as small as 1 cm to as large as 18 cm in diameter. The procedure was done by both aspiration and non-aspiration techniques and any significant difference in terms of the yield of material by either of the method, was not observed in the present study. TBSRTC is an excellent reporting system, as it showed specificity of 100 % in the present study, which helped to diagnose benign cases correctly and to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Fine Needle Aspiration versus Fine Needle Capillary Sampling Technique in Cyto-diagnosis of Thyroid Lesions

Introduction: In diagnosis of thyroid lesions, the negative pressure applied during fine needle aspirationcytology (FNAC) frequently produces bloody smears. This results in a compromise in cellular concentrationand architecture which may lead to improper interpretation. Fine needle capillary sampling cytology(FNCC), on the other hand, avoids active aspiration as it depends on capillary tension to collect tissuesamples in the needle bore. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of FNAC and FNCC in thyroidlesions. Methods: A total of 120 patients were included in this study conducted over a duration of 19months. All thyroid swellings advised for cyto-diagnosis were sampled by both fine-needle aspiration(FNAC) and non-aspiration (FNCC) techniques. The slides were assessed according to the Mair et al.scoring system. Results: In the FNCC group, 72 (60%) smears were diagnostically superior while 54 (45%)smears were diagnostically superior in the FNAC group. Blood contamination (p=0.003), cellular trauma(p=0.019), and degree of cellular degeneration (p=0.026) were less and cellular architecture (p=0.047) waspreserved more in FNCC in comparison to FNAC groups. Conclusion: This study showed the superiority ofFNCC for the interpretation and diagnosis of thyroid lesions. However, the combination of both FNAC andFNCC could maximize the diagnostic yield.

A randomised controlled comparison of aspiration and non-aspiration fine-needle techniques for obtaining ultrasound-guided cytological samples from canine livers

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle sampling to obtain cytological samples is a well-established technique. However, the application of suction during sampling is controversial. Evidence from the human literature and one previous veterinary study suggest that non-aspiration may be superior for a number of organs. This prospective study compared the quality and diagnostic value of cytological samples from canine livers obtained by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and non-aspiration (FN-NA) techniques. A total of 119 dogs that required ultrasound-guided FNA of the liver as part of their clinical investigation were recruited and randomly assigned to either FNA (n=54) or FN-NA (n=65) sampling groups. Specimens were reviewed by external cytopathologists masked to the technique used. Cytological reports were reviewed for their overall diagnostic value, cellularity, cell preservation and haemodilution.Overall, 88.2% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 82.4–94.0) of samples were diagnostic. There was a significant difference, as demonstrated by Chi-squared statistical analysis, in the prevalence of diagnostic samples between the FNA (81.5%; 95% CI, 71.1–91.8) and FN-NA groups (93.9%; 95% CI, 88.0–99.7; P=0.037). Non-diagnostic samples were significantly associated with lower cellularity, poorer cell preservation and more severe haemodilution (P<0.001 for each). However, there were no significant differences in the frequency of these specific variables between the FNA and FN-NA groups. In this study, fine-needle non-aspiration was superior to an aspiration technique for sampling the canine liver, as it resulted in higher rates of diagnostic cytology samples, with greater cellularity, less haemodilution and better cytological preservation.

Aspiration and non-aspiration technique in the study of thyroid gland lesion cytology

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology is used as a primary diagnostic tool in thyroid lesions. But the bloody smears caused by negative pressure during aspiration compromise cellular concentration and cell morphology which may lead to its improper interpretation. FNNAC avoids active aspiration and depends on capillary tension to collect tissue sample in the needle bore, thus reducing bleeding and tissue trauma to the highly vascular thyroid. Material and Methods: This is a one year prospective study where FNNAC and FNAC were done on 87 patients. Cytopathologist was blind folded regarding the technique used and was asked to score the quality of slide base of Mair scoring system.Results: FNAC yielded significantly better material on the basis of hemorrhage and cellularity. Fifty six (64.37%) cases showed adequate diagnostic material in FNNAC technique while 54/87 (62.05%) cases showed adequate diagnostic material in FNAC technique. Twelve (13.79%) cases showed unsuitable diagnostic material in FNNAC technique and 26/ 87 (29.89%) cases unsuitable diagnostic material in FNAC technique. Among the individual criteria used in Mair scoring system, background clot/ blood was significantly low in FNNAC than FNAC with the p value less than 0.001. Amount of cellular material was significantly more in FNNAC with p value less than 0.001.Conclusion: FNNAC yielded more cellular and less hemorrhagic material and more diagnostic superior material than FNAC. Since thyroid is a highly vascular gland, FNNAC should be used instead of FNAC for less hemorrhagic and more cellular material.

A comparative study of fine needle aspiration cytology versus non aspiration technique in thyroid lesions

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is regarded as the gold standard investigation in the diagnosis of thyroid swellings. But often unsatisfactory specimen, especially mixed with blood, poses an obstacle in proper cytological interpretation. To overcome this problem, an alternative method of fine needle non aspiration cytology (FNNAC) technique was developed which, relies on the capillary pressure only to suck the cells inside the needle bore.Methods: Patients presenting with thyroid swellings from July 2008 to January 2009 were included in the study. 91 patients treated for thyroid lesions entered a prospective comparative evaluation of fine needle cytology with aspiration and non-aspiration techniques in thyroid. The thyroid swelling in every patient was sampled by both the aspiration as well as the non-aspiration technique by a single operator. Both procedures were done using 23G needles. Aspiration was done using a 10ml syringe. Both dry and wet smears were made and stained. All smears were interpreted by a cytologist without knowledge of the technique employed. Apart from the diagnosis, comments were made on the quality of the slides and three qualitative categories are created as unsuitable specimens, diagnostically adequate and diagnostically superior.Results: Non-neoplastic lesions accounted for 92.3%. They comprised mainly of nodular colloid goiter 53.84%, colloid nodules 29.6%, thyroiditis 8.79%, and one case of suppurative lesion. Out of the 7 neoplasms, 2 were follicular neoplasms, 1 was papillary carcinoma, 2 cases of Hurthle cell neoplasm and 1 cellular nodule in an MNG. Diagnostically superior material was obtained in 42 cases (46.15%) of the non-aspiration samples, as compared with 18 cases (19.78%) of aspiration samples which was statistically significant.Conclusions: The FNNAC produces better results in the form of a better quality of the cellularity and less field obscurity by blood. This technique should be used alone or in tandem with FNAC for better diagnostic yield.

Fine needle aspiration of abdominal organs: a review of current recommendations for achieving a diagnostic sample.

With the improved accessibility to ultrasound, fine needle aspiration of abdominal organs is now performed frequently in many veterinary practices. Despite this, there are many 'unknowns' as to the best method to produce a high-quality sample. This report begins by highlighting recent literature on the risks and benefits of abdominal fine needle aspiration. It follows with recommendations about the equipment and method best suited to the procedure, including needle and syringe size and aspiration versus non-aspiration techniques. Various smear preparations and laboratory submission requirements are also discussed. The final aspect of the review more specifically discusses fine needle aspiration of specific abdominal organs: the liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, urinary bladder, prostate and abdominal lymph nodes.

Evaluation of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of head and neck masses and its correlation with histopathological findings

Background: A number of masses may develop in the head and neck region and these can also be called swellings, growths, tumors or lumps. Various diseases may affect head and neck region, which present clinically as swellings. Commonly presenting head and neck masses occur within the thyroid, salivary glands and lymph nodes. The evaluation of head and neck mass is a common clinical dilemma and a condition which clinicians routinely encounter. It is evident that their early diagnoses provide the best chance of successful treatment. FNAC is a simple, quick and cost effective method to sample superficial masses found in the head and neck region. An early differentiation of benign from malignant pathology greatly influences the planned treatment. FNAC can be both diagnostic and therapeutic in cystic swellings. Methods: The present Retro prospective study (Prospective for one year from January 2013 to December 2013 along with five year retrospective from January 2008 to December 2012) was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Pt. J.N.M. Medical College and associated Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital, Raipur. Cases for prospective study were selected from patients presented with head and neck masses attending the ENT OPD and indoor patients. Two techniques were used to perform FNAC. (Aspiration technique and Non-aspiration technique) After FNAC of head and neck lesions follow up of cases was done for histopathological examination. Final histopathological diagnosis was compared with the FNAC findings to assess the accuracy of cytodiagnosis. Results: A total of 12,514 FNACs done during six years, 1874 (14.9%) cases were diagnosed as head and neck lesions. Of the total 1874 cases of head and neck lesions, lymph node lesions were the commonest, accounting for 50.8% of cases. Thyroid and salivary gland lesions constituted 32.6% and 10.4% respectively. Analysis of FNAC of thyroid lesions, discordance was found more in malignant (11.8%) as compared to benign lesions, while Discordance was found more in benign lesion (12.4%) as compared to malignant lesion aspirates in lymph node lesions. Conclusions: FNAC is having a high diagnostic rate to differentiate benign and malignant lesions.

Should we apply suction during fine needle cytology of thyroid lesions? A prospective study of 200 cases.

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a well-established first line diagnostic tool in evaluating palpable thyroid lesions. However, the technique depends on suction and thus is at times painful, sometimes traumatic and yield haemorrhagic material for cytological study. In more recent times, a modified technique called fine needle sampling without aspiration (FNS) has come into vogue which obviates the use of suction and therefore is more patient friendly. To investigate whether fine needle sampling without aspiration (FNS) gives quantitatively and qualitatively superior cytologic material as compared to the conventional technique of fine needle aspiration (FNAC) in thyroid lesions. It is a prospective study of 200 cases carried out in the Department of Pathology during two years period. Both techniques were executed on the same thyroid swelling / nodule in the same clinical session beginning with FNS followed by FNAC. The observation recorded by two pathologists were based on the scoring system proposed by Mair et al., Statistical analysis was done by Student's paired t-test using SPSS 13 software. Observation/Results: A total of 200 cases were studied. The non-aspiration technique yielded less diagnostically adequate but more diagnostically superior smears when compared with aspiration technique. The average score per case was 5.31 by aspiration technique and 6.35 by non-aspiration technique. Both the techniques have their own merits and demerits and neither is absolutely superior to the other. A combination of both the technique gives better result.

Fine Needle Biopsy: Comparison of Aspiration versus Nonaspiration Techniques in Head and Neck Tumors

Objectives: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) has been adopted as a simple and cost-effective method for cytological studies of head and neck tumors. Recently the fine needle nonaspiration (FNNA) is reported to provide good specimens. In this study, we compare the efficacy of the two techniques. Methods: During a 3-year period, 297 cytological examinations were conducted in patients with head and neck tumor. Sites of biopsy studied included thyroid tumor (n=200), lymph node (n=75), and salivary tumor (n=22). Fine needle biopsies were performed in each lesion with 23-gauge needles, and results were analyzed by a single pathologist. Results: Overall, specimens from 21 patients (7.1%) of 297 were inadequate with both techniques together. Forty-three (14.5%) were insufficient specimens with FNA alone and 33 (11%) with FNNA alone. Insufficient specimens were obtained at 30 (15%) and 21 (10.5%) of 200 thyroid tumors and 2 (9.1%) and 1 (4.5%) of 22 salivary tumors with and without aspiration, respectively. The inadequacy rates were the same (14.6%) in the lymph nodes with each technique. The causes of insufficient specimens were blood contamination with FNA and the absence of cellular material with FNNA. No statistically significant difference was noted in the diagnostic yield between the two techniques. Conclusions: We concluded that FNNA is equal to FNA in the cytological studies in head and neck tumors. Double sampling may reduce inadequacy rates to low levels and be useful as a routine policy.

Comparison of aspiration vs non-aspiration techniques in fine-needle cytology of thyroid lesions

Aim:To compare the efficacy of fine-needle non-aspiration cytology (FNNAC) with that of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid lesions.Materials and Methods:FNAC and FNNAC techniques were studied in 50 cases of thyroid lesions. All the needle-sampling procedures were done by a single operator. The samples were assessed cytologically and evaluated using five parameters, that is, background blood or clot, amount of cellular material, degree of cellular degeneration, and degree of cellular trauma and retention of appropriate architecture.Statistical Analysis:Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed using SPSS14 software. Differences between all the individual parameters as observed in FNAC and FNNAC smears were insignificant.Results and Conclusion:After evaluation of FNAC and FNNAC on the basis of these scores, greater numbers of diagnostically superior samples were obtained by FNNAC; however, by FNAC more number of diagnostically adequate smears were observed. The numbers of unsuitable smears were also more by FNNAC technique.

Comparison of aspiration and nonaspiration techniques for obtaining cytologic samples from the canine and feline spleen

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of the spleen is commonly used in the diagnostic evaluation of veterinary patients. Techniques using suction delivered through a 6-20-cm(3) syringe are the most commonly described means of obtaining cytologic samples of the spleen. Comparison studies of various human lesions have shown nonaspiration techniques to produce equal or superior cytologic specimens with less blood than specimens obtained using aspiration techniques. The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of splenic cytology specimens obtained using aspiration and nonaspiration techniques. Client-owned dogs (n=24) and cats (n=7) receiving an abdominal ultrasound at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine were enrolled in the study between January and June 2005. Samples were obtained from patients with and without sonographic splenic abnormalities. Two clinical pathologists, working independently and blinded to the method of sample collection, graded the cytologic specimens using a subjective scoring system for cellularity, amount of blood, and preservation of cellular morphology. Agreement between the 2 independent observers was good. Direct comparison of the 2 techniques showed that samples obtained by the nonaspiration method had higher cellularity (P=.0002), less blood (P=.0023), and similar cell morphology (P=1.0000) compared with samples obtained by the aspiration method. These results suggest the nonaspiration technique is a superior method for obtaining a high-quality cytologic specimen from the canine and feline spleen.

Comparison of aspiration and nonaspiration techniques for obtaining cytologic samples from the canine and feline spleen

Comparison of aspiration and nonaspiration techniques for obtaining cytologic samples from the canine and feline spleen

A comparative study of fine needle aspiration cytology versus non-aspiration technique in thyroid lesions

The present study was done to explore the diagnostic yield by the non-aspiration technique as compared with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of lesions in the thyroid gland. This method of non-aspiration fine needle cytology, which utilizes no active suction or aspiration, was performed on 150 patients presenting with enlargement of the thyroid gland. Smears were then cytologically assessed as unsuitable, diagnostically adequate or diagnostically superior, without knowledge of the sampling method employed. Diagnostically superior specimens were obtained significantly more frequently by the non-aspiration technique in 136 benign lesions and 14 neoplasms. Thus, the non-aspiration technique combined with FNAC can result in obtaining good quality cellular material in thyroid lesions.