DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i03.083

Pages: 1151-1156

Fine needle cytology is a well-established method of diagnosing neoplastic as well as inflammatory conditions of the lung. It has resulted in decrease need of other procedures that are generally more invasive for diagnosis. In this study we tried to evaluate the role of percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology in suspected peripheral pulmonary cancers and determine the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC to diagnose lung cancers. A total of 52 patients admitted to Chest and tuberculosis ward of Siddhartha Medical College and Govt Hospital Vijayawada were selected. A CT guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration was performed if the lesion was solid and satisfied inclusion criteria. The aspirated material was spread on standard microscopic slides. The slides were stained by Leishman’s stain and Haematoxyline and Eosin stain and viewed in high power. Out of the 52 patients 39 (75%) were male and 13 (25%) were female. 42 (80%) of the cases were found to be with malignancy and 10 were determined to be non-malignant. From 42 malignant cases 38 (90.4%) had history of smoking. Most common side of the lung involved was left side 27 (64%) of 42 cases of malignancy. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 25 (48.07%) of the cases and other malignant lesions were Adenocarcinoma 14 (26.92%), small cell carcinoma 2 (3.9%) and metastatic in 1 (1.9%). Nonmalignant lesions were found in 5 (9.6%) Diagnosis was inconclusive in 5 (9.6%) of 52 cases. FNAC is generally a well-tolerated procedure with less morbidity and negligible mortality. It is acceptable, simple as well as useful it can be done without need of anesthesia and the results may be obtained within few hours. Use of CT guided FNAC enhances the diagnostic yield of the fine needle aspiration cytology. It lessens the need for other procedures like Fiber Optic Bronchoscopy [FOB] and cutting biopsy.