Evaluation of safety of ultrasound-guided aspirations and fine needle aspiration biopsies

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the safety of ultrasound-guided aspiration and fine needle aspiration biopsies. An observational study. The study was carried out in radiology department of Combined Military Hospital Kharian from Oct 2001 to Nov 2003. A total of 143 ultrasound-guided procedures [106 aspirations and 37 FNAB] were performed in patients of both sexes and different age groups. Caliber of needle was decided according to type of procedure and nature of lesion. Most of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies [FNAB] were done with 22G needles. Cyst aspirations were performed using 20G to 22G needles. Abscess aspirations were done with 16G to 20G needles. No immediate or late complications were observed in any FNAB. In one patient of liver abscess, intra-abscess haemorrhage occurred during aspiration with 16G needle. All other aspirations were unremarkable. Complication rate was found to be 0.7%. Ultrasound-guided aspirations and FNAB are safe procedures when optimum needle gauge and proper needle guidance technique is used