Computed tomography-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of thoracic mass lesions: A study of 57 cases

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT)-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is regarded as a rapid, safe, and accurate diagnostic tool in examining thoracic mass lesions for the last three decades. AIMS: To assess the role of CT-guided FNAC in thoracic mass lesions, to analyse the results, and to compare the results with other studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients were studied over a year (July 2007 to June 2008) for their age, sex, and topographic distribution, pleural infiltration (based on CT findings), and cytological diagnoses. RESULTS: Out of 57 cases, 78.9% (n = 45) were male and 21.1% (n = 12) were female. The age range varied from 34 to 79 years with the peak in the fifth decade. There were 54 parenchymal (lung) tumors and the remaining three tumor cases were mediastinal. The most common tumor was squamous cell carcinoma (42.6%) followed by adenocarcinoma (29.6%) and small cell carcinoma. Postprocedural complications were minimal and were noted in only three cases (a little pulmonary hemorrhage in two and hemoptysis in one). CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided FNAC of thoracic mass lesions provides a rapid and safe diagnostic procedure with minimal complications. The categorical diagnosis can also be achieved on the basis of cytomorphology. The figures obtained from this study are comparable with other studies except for a few differences.