Percutaneous ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of pulmonary lesions: a single centre experience

• Published in: Ultraschall in der Medizin - European Journal of Ultrasound
• Main Authors: Pecorelli, A, Nani, R, Agazzi, R, Sironi, S
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 18.08.2016
• ISSN: 0172-4614; 1438-8782
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1587791

Purpose: Imaging-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is routinely used for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. Computed tomography (CT) is the most common imaging modality used for guidance followed by ultrasound (US). To date there are few data about the use of this technique for the characterization of pulmonary lesions and above all about percutaneous US-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). This is considered a reliable method for the diagnosis of malignant lesions despite it has some limitations, such as inadequate sampling and a limited value in the differentiation between benign and well-differentiated malignant lesions. The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and the accuracy of percutaneous ultrasound-guided FNAC of pulmonary lesions. Materials and methods: we retrospectively collected 164 percutaneous ultrasound-guided FNAC images, consecutively performed from 2010 to 2015 in our centre, namely 2010 = 21 (7.4%), 2011 = 15 (5.8%), 2012 = 30 (13.0%), 2013 = 24 (12.7%), 2014 = 37 (16.1%), 2015 = 37 (17.2%). Aspirations were performed with 22-G spinal needle. Results: Tumour malignant cells were found in 107 cases of FNAC performed with ultrasound guidance (Tab 1) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total Total 21 15 30 24 37 37 164 Positive 11 8 18 18 25 27 107 Suspect 1 1 3 0 5 2 12 Negative 2 4 0 3 5 3 17 Descriptive 6 1 2 0 1 2 12 Inadequate 1 1 2 3 1 3 11 In detail, in 2015 of 27 positive cases 11 aspirations were diagnostic for non small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), in particular 7 adenocarcinoma and 4 squamous cell, and 1 for small-cell lung carcinoma (SLCC). In none of these cases relevant complications occurred. Conclusion: Percutaneous ultrasound-guided FNAC for pulmonary lesions is a safe technique which allows to visualize images in real-time for an accurate device placement. It also provides a specific diagnosis in most of the patients with pulmonary lesions.