JHC 2023 January v7 i1 s4

Original Contribution

Role of FNAC and Core Needle Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Breast Lesions

1.*Dr. Anindita Sarkar, MD (Pathology), Assistant Professor (C.C), Pathology Department, Rajshahi Medical
College. abantica.16@gmail.com.
2. Prof. Dr. S. M. Asafudullah, MD (Pathology), Professor and Head of Department of Pathology, Rajshahi Medical
College.
3. Dr. Khadiza Khanam, MD (Pathology), Professor, Pathology Department, Rajshahi Medical College.
4. Dr. Rukhshana Akhter Jahan, MD (Pathology), Associate Professor, Pathology Department, Rajshahi Medical
College.
5. Dr. Tanshina Afrin, MD (Pathology), Assistant Professor (C.C), Pathology Department, Rajshahi Medical College.
6. Dr. Rebeka Sultana, MD (Pathology), Consultant, Islami Bank Hospital, Rajshahi.
*For correspondence

Abstract
Background: Though excision biopsy of breast lump is considered to be the gold standard method
for diagnosis, there should be an improved and definitive method for establishing an accurate
diagnosis of breast lesions prior to surgery. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and
diagnostic performance of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB)
in the preoperative assessment of breast lesions.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the private diagnostic center in Rajshahi,
Bangladesh over a period of one year from January 2022 to December 2022.A total of 60 cases
were subjected to both FNAC and CNB from the same breast lesions included in this study.
Result: The age range of total 60 patients was 22-85 years with mean age of 42.18 ±SD 12.15
years. 38 patients had benign lesions and 22 had malignant tumors. Sensitivity, specificity, positive
predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy for FNAC were 89.4%, 100%,
100%, 84.6%, and 93.3%, respectively in diagnosing carcinoma. CNB had sensitivity, specificity,
positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of 94.7%, 100%,
100%, 91.6% and 91.6% respectively. Both FNAC and CNB showed statistically significant
association.
Conclusion: Taking into account the benefits and outcomes, combined approach of FNAC and
CNB can provide accurate preoperative diagnosis of breast lesions and provide important
information for appropriate treatment

[Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology, 2023 Jan; 7 (1):21-26]
Keywords: FNAC, Core needle biopsy (CNB), Breast lesion

Full article

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jhc-2023-jan-v7-n1

Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology

Official Organ of Bangladesh Academy of Pathology

Vol 7, No 1, January 2023
Cover front PDF
Index or Contents PDF
Contacts, Price …

Contents

 
Editorial
1. PD-L1 Expression in Colon Carcinoma: A Promising Target for Immunotherapy
Mimi SA
Original Contributions
2. Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Ki67 Expression in Premalignant and Malignant Esophageal Lesions – Study of 54 Cases in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Sultana S, Afrin SS, Khan ZB, Zabin SG, Sweety RA, Islam MA,Shaheen N, Jahra FT, Jeba R, Dewan RK
3. Histopathological Analysis of Uterine Lesions in Hysterectomy Specimen at a Tertiary Hospital
Hossain MS, Sultana SS, Hossain SA
4. Role of FNAC and Core Needle Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Breast Lesions
Sarkar A, Asafudullah SM, Khanam K, Jahan RA, Afrin T, Sultana R
5. Evaluation of Stromal CD10 Expression and its Correlation with other Clinicopathological Factors in Invasive Breast Carcinoma
Imrana F, Mamun MS, Hossain SM, Hassan A
6. Stromal Expression of CD10 in invasive Ductal Carcinoma and its Relationship with ER, PR and HER2-neu Status

Imrana F, Mamun MS, Hossain SM, Hassan A

Case Reports
7. Cauda Equina Neuroendocrine Tumor – A Case Report
Shams S, Islam MN
8. Information for contributors
Open PDF

 

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnosis of Focal Liver Lesions

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnosis of Focal Liver Lesions

*Saem AM,1 Saha NK,2 Begum F,3 Hye AA,4 Islam N,5 Anam T6

 Abstract

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) assisted by cell block examination might be more accurate method for the definitive diagnosis of focal liver lesions (FLL). This study was designed to find out the role of FNAC in the diagnosis of FLLs in comparison to cell block preparations. This cross sectional observational study was carried out in the department of Pathology in collaboration with the department of Radiology & Imaging at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College. Study period was from 1 July, 2015 to 30 June, 2016. Clinically & radiologically diagnosed patients of focal liver lesions were study populations. The age of the study patients ranged from 15 to 80 years with a mean of 53.58 years. On FNAC, 10% cases were unsatisfactory, 8% cases were cystic lesion, 4% cases were benign tumor and 78% cases were malignant tumor. Among 39 malignant cases, 30.77% cases were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 69.23% cases were metastatic adenocarcinoma. Unsatisfactory samples were 18.18%, 6.82% were benign tumors and 75% were malignant tumors. Among the malignant lesions, 18.18% were HCC and 81.82% were metastatic adenocarcinoma. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value(NPV) and accuracy of FNAC in the evaluation of FLLs were 100%, 66.67%, 97.06%, 100% and 97.22%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of FNAC in the detection of HCC were 66.67%, 85.18%, 50%, 92% and 81.82% respectively. FNAC of focal liver lesions has high sensitivity and accuracy in the detection of malignancy but it has low sensitivity in the detection of HCC. Cell block preparations were found superior to cytomorphology as immunostaining can be done on cell block preparations.

[Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology, 2017 Jul; 1 (2):110-115]

 Key words: Focal liver lesions, FNAC, Cell block, Immunohistochemistry, HCC, and Metastatic carcinoma.

  1. *Dr. Abu Mohammad Saem, Lecturer, Department of Pathology, Comilla Medical College, Comilla. saemshampa@yahoo.com
  2. Naba Kumar Saha, Professor & Head, Department of Pathology, MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet.
  3. Ferdousy Begum, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka.
  4. Azizul Qadar Md. Abdul Hye, Associate Professor Department of Pathology, MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet.
  5. Nazmul Islam, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Army Medical College, Comilla.
  6. Tasmina Anam, Scientific Officer, Department of Pathology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka.

 * For correspondence

 Introduction

A focal liver lesion (FLL) is a solid or cystic mass or area of tissue that is identified by radiological or imaging techniques as an abnormal part of the liver. It may be either a benign lesion such as focal nodular hyperplasia, hepatocellular adenoma and hepatic cyst or a malignant lesion such as hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma and metastatic carcinoma.1

Pathological examination is an important aspect in the evaluation of an FLL. FNAC is the preferred method for diagnosis of focal liver lesions and needle core biopsy (NCB) for evaluating diffuse liver diseases where architectural details are important.2 In recent years FNAC has emerged as an effective tool for diagnosis of a hepatic mass.

 

Cell blocks prepared from residual materials of fine needle aspirations can be useful adjuncts to smears for establishing a more definitive cytopathological diagnosis.3 Use of cell blocks improves diagnostic accuracy as it facilitates study of architecture details of multiple sections, use of special stains and immunohistochemistry.4

The distinction of moderately to poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma from metastatic carcinoma may be a major problem for cytologists and this distinction is clinically important. Immunohistochemistry is required in this situation to differentiate hepatocellular carcinoma from metastatic carcinoma.5

With this background the study was designed to find out the role of FNAC in the diagnosis of focal liver lesions and to correlate its efficacy with cell block preparations using H&E and immunohistochemistry.

Methods

This cross sectional observational study was carried out in the department of Pathology in collaboration with the department of Radiology & Imaging at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College from 1 July, 2015 to 30 June, 2016. Clinically and radiologically diagnosed patients of focal liver lesions attending the department of Radiology & Imaging from different departments during the study period were the target population and those who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were considered as study population. Patients of all ages and both sexes were included. Patients with bleeding diathesis, suspected liver abscess, hydatid cyst and hemangioma were excluded from the study. 22 gauge needle was placed in the lesion under ultrasound guidance and the material was aspirated with a 10 ml disposable syringe. After placing aspirates on the slides, thin smears were prepared by gentle friction of two slides. Then smears were fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol for at least 30 minutes and stained with Papanicolaou stain. After preparation of smears, the residual material was secured for clot preparation. It was then transferred into 10% formalin and processed as a cell block.6 Then, the cell blocks were cut at 5 micrometer thickness and were stained with Harri’s Haematoxylin and Eosin stain. From the paraffin block 3 micrometer sections were cut and stained for immunohistochemistry with Glypican-3 antibody. The immunohistochemistry was performed in the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) following their staining protocol. All the data were organized by using scientific calculator and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.

 Results

The age of the study patients ranged from 15 to 80 years with a mean of 53.58 years (SD +15.32). Out of 50 cases, 33 (66%) were male and 17 (34%) were female with male to female ratio of 1.94:1. Among these patients, the highest number of patients 13(26%) were in the age group 51-60 years (Table I).

Table I: Age and sex distribution of study cases (n=50)

 

Age Groups (years) Male
No (%)
Female

No (%)

Total

No (%)

11-20 2(4) 1(2) 3(6)
21-30 1(2) 0(0) 1(2)
31-40 2(4) 4(8) 6(12)
41-50 9(18) 3(6) 12(24)
51-60 7(14) 6(12) 13(26)
61-70 10(20) 2(4) 12(24)
71-80 2(4) 1(2) 3(6)
Total 33(66) 17(34) 50(100)

 

Out of 50 focal liver lesions, 5 cases were unsatisfactory, 4 cases were cystic lesion, 2 cases were benign tumor and 39 cases were malignant tumor in cytology. Among the malignant cases, 12 were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 27 were metastatic adenocarcinoma (Figure 1).

 Figure 1. Pie diagram showing distribution of study cases according to FNA cytomorphology

Finally, 8 unsatisfactory, 3 benign and 33 malignant cases were diagnosed in cell block preparations. Among 33 malignant cases 6 were diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 27 were diagnosed as metastatic adenocarcinoma (Figure-2).

 Figure 2. Pie diagram showing distribution of 44 cases according to combined cell block preparations.

 36 cases were conclusive on both cytomorphology and cell block preparations. On evaluation of cytomorphological diagnosis of 36 cases, 33 were true positive diagnosis, 2 were true negative diagnosis, 1 was false positive diagnosis and there was no false negative diagnosis (Table II). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of FNAC in the diagnosis of malignant focal liver lesions were100%, 66.67%, 97.06 %, 100 % & 97.22 %, respectively.

Table II: Statistical evaluation of cytomorphological diagnosis of 36 conclusive cases.

 

Combined cell block preparations (H&E and IHC) Cytomorphological diagnosis
Disease positive (Malignant) Disease negative(Benign)
Positive(Malignant)   33 TP               33 FP                  1
Negative(Benign)       3 FN                0 TN                  2
Total                         36                    33                        3

 

TP= True positive, TN= True negative, FP= False positive, FN= False negative

33 cases were diagnosed as malignant by both FNAC and cell block preparations. On evaluation of cytomorphological diagnosis, 4 were true positive, 23 were true negative, 4 were false positive and 2 were false negative in the detection of HCC (Table III). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracyof FNAC in the detection of HCC were 66.67%, 85.18%, 50%, 92% and 81.82%, respectively.

Table III: Statistical evaluation of cytomorphological diagnosis in the detection of HCC.

 

Combined cell block preparations (H&E and IHC) Cytomorphological diagnosis
Disease positive (HCC) Disease negative

(Non HCC)

Positive (HCC)                   6 TP               4 FP                   4
Negative (Non HCC)        27 FN               2 TN                  23
Total                                 33                     6                        27

 

TP= True positive, TN= True negative, FP= False positive, FN= False negative

Discussion

In the present study, USG guided FNAC was compared with cell block preparations (H&E and immunohistochemistry) in differentiation of focal liver lesions. FNA smears were available in all the 50 cases, but cell blocks were available in 44 cases.

Age of the study patients ranged from 15 to 80 years with a mean of 53.58 years. Nazir et al. (2010) and Kuo et al. (2004) showed 55 and 58.1 years as mean age in their studies which are close to the mean age of present study.7,8 Highest number of patients (26%) was in the age group of 51-60 years in our study. Nazir et al. (2010) reported that maximum number of cases was seen between 55-65 years of age which is nearly similar to present study.7 Out of 50 cases, 33 (66%) were male and 17 (34%) were female with male to female ratio of 1.94:1. Similar findings were reported by Swamy et al. (2011).9 Nazir et al. (2010) showed a male to female ratio of 1.7:1 which is also close to present study.7

Out of 50 cases, 5 (10%) cases were unsatisfactory, 4 (8%) cases were cystic lesion, 2 (4%) cases were benign tumor and 39 (78%) cases were malignant tumor on cytomorphology. Further categorization of benign tumors was not done as in Khurana et al. (2009).6 Among 39 malignant cases, 12 (30.77%) cases were HCC and 27 (69.23%) cases were metastatic carcinoma. All the cases of metastatic carcinoma were adenocarcinomas. Nearly similar findings were found on cytomorphology in the study of Mohmmed et al. (2012), Nazir et al. (2010), Khurana et al. (2009) and Ceyhan et al. (2006).6,7,10,11 Ozkara et al. (2012) found 9.9% of cases as unsatisfactory on cytomorphology which is similar to the unsatisfactory smear (10%) of the present study.12

In final diagnosis of 44 cases by combined cell block preparations (H&E and immunohistochemistry), 8 (18.18%) were unsatisfactory, 3 (6.82%) were benign tumors and 33 (75%) were malignant tumors. Nazir et al. (2010) reported 85% cases as malignant which is nearly close to the malignant cases found in the present study.7 But Mohmmed et al. (2012) showed 39% cases as malignant which is lower and Khurana et al. (2009) showed 93.75% cases as malignant which is higher than that of present study.6,10 Among the malignant lesions, 6 (18.18%) were HCC and 27 (81.82%) were metastatic adenocarcinoma in our study. Khurana et al. (2009) found 17.78% cases as HCC and 82.22% cases as metastatic tumor which are concordant with the present study.6

The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of USG guided FNAC in the evaluation of focal liver lesions were 100%, 66.67% and 97.22%, respectively. Sensitivity of the present study (100%) is similar or close to the sensitivity of studies done by Khurana et al. (2009), Nazir et al. (2010), Swamy et al. (2011) and Mohmmed et al. (2012).6,7,9,10 Specificity of the present study (66.67%) has concordance with the specificity found by Mohmmed et al. (2012).10 The specificity shown by Khurana et al. (2009), Nazir et al. (2010) and Swamy et al. (2011) has discordance with that of current study.6,7,9The present study showed an accuracy of 97.22% which is similar to that of Nazir et al. (2010) and Swamy et al. (2011).7,9

The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNAC in the detection of HCC were 66.67%, 85.18% and 81.82% respectively in our study.  Sensitivity of FNAC in the detection of HCC described by Ozkara et al. (2013) was 68.2% which is similar to the sensitivity of present study.12 Khurana et al. (2009) and Nazir et al. (2010) showed the sensitivity in the detection of HCC as 72.3% and 96% respectively which are higher than the sensitivity of present study.6,7 Specificity and accuracy showed by Nazir et al. (2010) were 100% and 97.5% respectively which are also higher than those of the present study.7

 Conclusion

FNAC of focal liver lesions has high sensitivity and accuracy in the detection of malignancy but it has low sensitivity in the detection of HCC. No significant complication was observed during aspiration. FNAC is a relatively safe, quick, cost effective and patient compliant procedure which has high accuracy in the differentiation between benign and malignant focal liver lesions. Simultaneous cell block preparations can improve the efficacy of FNAC in the subtyping of malignancy.

 References

  1. Marrero JA, Ahn J, Reddy KR. ACG clinical guideline: The Diagnosis and Management of Focal Liver Lesions. Am J Gastroenterol, 2014; 109(9): 1328-47.
  2. Conrad R, Prabhu SC, Cobb C, Raza A. Cytopathologic diagnosis of liver mass lesions. J Gastrointest Oncol, 2013; 4(1): 53-61.
  3. Nathan NA, Narayan E, Smith MM, Horn MJ. Cell block cytology: Improved Preparation and its Efficacy in Diagnostic Cytology. Am J Clin Pathol, 2000; 114: 599-606.
  4. Ali SR, Jayabackthan L, Rahim S, Sharel MB, Prasad K, Hegdekatte N. Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of hepatic lesions. Muller J Med Sci Res, 2015; 6(2): 125-128.
  5. Ahuja A, Gupta N, Srinivasan R, Kalra N, Chawla Y, Rajwanshi A. Differentiation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Metastatic Carcinoma of the liver – Clinical and Cytological features. J Cytol, 2007; 24(3): 125-129.
  6. Khurana U, Handa U, Mohan H, Sachdev A. Evaluation of Aspiration Cytology of the Liver Space Occupying Lesions by Simultaneous Examination of Smears and Cell Blocks. Diagn Cytopathol, 2009; 37(8): 557-563.
  7. Nazir RT, Sharif MA, Iqbal M, Amin MS.Diagnostic Accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Hepatic Tumours. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 2010; 20(6): 373-376.
  8. Kuo FY, Chen WJ, Lu SN, Wang JH, Eng HL. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytodiagnosis of Liver Tumors. Acta Cytologica, 2004; 48(2): 142-148.
  9. Swamy MCM, Arathi CA, Kodandaswamy CR. Value of ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration cytology in the investigative sequence of hepatic lesions with an emphasis on hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cytol, 2011; 28(4): 178-184.
  10. Mohmmed AA, Elsiddig S, Abdullhamid M, Gasim GI, Adam I. Ultrasound- guided fine needle aspiration cytology and cell block in the diagnosis of focal liver lesions at Khartoum Hospital, Sudan. Sudan JMS, 2012; 7(3): 183-187.
  11. Ceyhan K, Kupana SA, Bektas M et al. The diagnostic value of on-site cytopathological evaluation and cell block preparation in fine-needle aspiration cytology of liver masses. Cytopathol, 2006; 17: 267–274.
  12. Ӧzkara SK, Tuneli IӦ. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytopathology of Liver Masses: 101 cases with Cyto-/Histopathological Analysis. Acta Cytologica, 2013; 57:332-336

 

CT Guided FNAC of Lung Mass – A Retrospective Study of Disease Spectrum

CT Guided FNAC of Lung Mass – A Retrospective Study of Disease Spectrum

 *Ahmed Z,1 Israt T,2 Raza AM,3 Hossain SA,4 Shahidullah M5

 

Abstract

Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer related deaths all over the world. CT guided FNAC of lung mass is an effective modality to diagnose lung cancer. The study was carried out in a specialized diagnostic center at the district of Feni, Bangladesh. A total of 100 cases were studied for a period of 2 years from July 2015 to July 2017. Aim of our study was to evaluate the pathological spectrum of diseases in the lesions of the lung  through CT guided FNAC. Total 100 cases were evaluated retrospectively for a period of 2 years. Out of 100 cases 66% were male and 34% patients were female. Mean age was 54. 34 years. In 56 cases lesions were at the right lung and in 44 cases were in left lung. 68%  cases had malignant lesion and 32% cases were have inflammatory conditions. Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant malignant tumour. Among the complications, 2 cases developed pneumothorax which were managed conservatively, 3 had chest pain, 3 had mild haemorrhage from the lesion area and 1 had breathlessness. All were managed conservatively. CT guided FNAC can diagnose pulmonary lesion fairly accurately leading to early diagnosis which causes less morbidity and mortality as treatment can be started early.

[Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology, 2018 Jul; 2 (2):109-113]

Keywords: Computed tomography (CT), FNAC, Lung mass.

 

  1. *Dr. Zaman Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College, Noakhali. drzahmed74@gmail.com
  2. Tasnim Israt, Assistant Professor of Pathology(CC), Cumilla Medical College, Cumilla.
  3. AKM Maruf Raza, Associate Professor of Pathology, Jahurul Islam Medical College, Kishoregonj .
  4. Shaikh Alamgir Hossain, Senior Consultant (Pathology), Bangladesh Secretariat Clinic, Dhaka.
  5. Mohammad Shahidullah,  Associate Professor (CC) of Medicine,  Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College, Noakhali.

 *For correspondece

Introduction

Computed tomography (CT) guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a well known modality for characterization of lung masses. It has been used to differentiate lung masses into benign, malignant and inflammatory types. Furthermore its use has been extended in differentiating lung malignancy into different cytopathological types which aids in proper management of the malignant lesion. CT guided FNAC is widely recognized technique in evaluating lung mass. It is a simple less invasive diagnostic method of relatively low cost, with negligible mortality and limited morbidity.1 In 1976 Haaga and Alfidi reported CT guided biopsy and since then this procedure has be shown to be both effective and accurate. The diagnostic accuracy is reported to be more than 80% in benign disease and more than 90% in malignant disease.2 Several post procedural complications have been reported for CT guided FNAC such as pulmonary hemorrhage, hemoptysis and pneumothorax. Pneumothorax has been observed to be 22% – 45% due to high sensitivity of CT in detecting pneumothorax.3 Relative contraindications to image guided FNAC are severe chronic obstructive airway disease, bleeding diathesis, contralateral pneumonectomy and pulmonary arterial hypertension.4

In Bangladesh CT guided FNAC of lung lesion is relatively a newer diagnostic technique and done mostly in the major cities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the disease spectrum of lung lesion by CT guided FNAC in a district level diagnostic center.

Methods

The study was carried out in a specialized diagnostic center in the district of Feni. A total of 100 cases were studied for a period of 2 years from July 2015 to July 2017. CT guided FNAC was performed by pathologist in co-ordination with radiologist. Risk and benefit were explained and informed consent taken from each patients or his/her relatives. Skin was cleaned by betadine and 22G spinal needle was introduced through percutaneous transthoracic approach. The exact position of lesion was established by CT scan with site, angle, depth and route of needle introduction was determined. After the needle placement, CT scan done to ascertain that the tip of the needle was within the mass. The aspirate was obtained by to and fro movement of needle within the mass. All slides were fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol and were stained with papaniculaou stain.  All the slides were evaluated by an experienced pathologist. Patients were kept under observation for 2 hours to see any immediate complication.

 Statistical analysis

Microsoft Excel 2016 was used to generate tables. Only descriptive statistics were used to infer results.

 Results

Out of 100 cases 66 were male and 34 were female. Age group was from 25 years to 90 years with mean age of 54.34 years. In 56 cases lung lesion was in right lung and 44 cases were in left lung. Among 56 right lung lesion 45 were male and 11 were female. In 44 left lung lesion 31 were male and 13 were female (Table I).

Among 100 cases, 32 cases were inflammatory or benign lesion. Among the benign lesion, tubercular inflammation were the most common, accounting for 15 cases followed by chronic non specific inflammation 14 cases, suppurative inflammation 2 cases and Benign cystic lesion 1 case. 68 cases were malignant with squamous cell carcinoma exceeding adenocarcinoma, 35 and 25 cases respectively. Small cell carcinoma were 6 cases and poorly differentiated carcinoma were 3 cases (Table II).

Among the complications, 2 cases developed pneumothorax who were managed conservatively, 3 had chest pain, 3 had mild haemorrhage from the lesion area and 01 had breathlessness. All were managed conservatively (Table III).

Figure I show a radiological picture showing needle tip at the lesional site. Figure Ii and figure III show  picture of cytopathological slides of tubercular granuloma and adenocarcinoma respectively.

 

Table I: Lung lesion by site and sex (n=100)

 

Sex Site
Right lung Left lung Total (%)
Male 45 31 66 (66%)
Female 11 13 34 (24%)
Total 56 (56%) 44 (44%) 100 (100%)

Table II: Spectrum of disease in lung lesion on CT guided FNAC (n=100)

Disease Number of cases %
Squamous cell carcinoma 35 35
Adenocarcinoma 25 25
Small cell carcinoma 06 6
Undifferentiated carcinoma 02 2
Tubercular granuloma 15 15
Chronic nonspecific inflammation 14 14
Suppurative inflammation 02 2
Benign cystic lesion 01 1
Total 100 100

 

Table III: Complication of CT guided FNAC in this study (n=9)

Complication Number of cases %
Pneumothorax 02 22.2%
Chest pain 03 33.3%
Mild hemorrhage from overlying skin 03 33.3%
Breathlessness 01 11.1%
Total 09 100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. Showing needle inside the lung lesion

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2. Showing tubercular granuloma in lung (Paps stain, 40X)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 3. Showing adenocarcinoma of lung (Paps stain, 40X)

Discussion

CT guided transthoracic needle aspiration cytology is safe and accurate method for diagnosis and categorization of malignant and benign lesion. Accuracy of procedure varies in range from 64% to 97%.3 In this present study, 100 cases were studied over a period of 2 years time period. Conclusive cytodiagnosis were made in all the 100 cases. Most Patients tolerated the procedure well. Most common complaint was pain at the procedure site and mild bleeding at the skin puncture site which subsided without medicine in 2 hours. Two cases had pneumothorax which was mild and resolved conservatively. No chest tube insertion was needed. All the cases were adult. The mean age was 54.34 years similar to other studies. Mondal et al and Singh et al in their study found mean age 56.6 years and 56.4 years respectively, which is similar to our study.5,6 This indicates lung mass lesion especially malignant lung tumour come to clinical attention at middle to old age. There was male preponderance (66%) among the patients undergone FNAC for lung lesion. In this study, out of 100 patients male patient were 66% and female patient were 34%. Percentage of male patients in the studies by Saha et al7 78.9% and Tan et al8 71.1%. Bandyopadhyay et al9 found male patient 80.6%  which is high to other study and also high comparing to this study.

Out of the 100 cases, 32% were inflammatory or benign condition and 68% cases were malignant tumour. Mondal et al had benign lesion in 8.07% and malignant lesion in 91.93%.cases.5 This high percentage of malignant patient in this study and study done by Mondal et al probably due to as most of the inflammatory conditions are now a days effectively treated by antibiotics. The tuberculosis cases and malignant cases are non responsive to antibiotics and they suffer chronically and come to diagnostic CT guided FNAC.

The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (35% cases) was higher than adenocarcinoma (25% cases) in our study similar to the study by Shah S.10 In their study, most common tumour was squamous cell carcinoma (45%) followed by adenocarcinoma (22%), small cell carcinoma (16%) and large cell carcinoma (8%).11 In his study adenocarcinoma was the most common malignant tumour. In that study, adenocarcinoma cases were 30%, squamous cell carcinoma 22.5% and undifferentiated carcinomas was 7.5%. The proportion of adenocarcinoma has risen in the last fifteen years. Adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type in women and the rising proportion of women in the lung cancer population is undoubtedly a factor in the relative increase in the incidence of adenocarcinoma.12

 Conclusion

CT guided FNAC is a well accepted, simple, accurate, safe and cost effective method for diagnosing a lung lesion with low morbidity rates. Combined with CT the aspiration needle can be guided safely into the lesion to improve the diagnosis of the cytological material. CT guided FNAC provides early diagnosis and sub classification of the lung masses hence directing the clinicians in proper management. Complication due to this procedure is not high and can be managed conservatively.

 References

  1. Martin HE, Ellis EB. Biopsy by needle puncture and aspiration. Ann Surg. 1930 Aug;92(2):169-81.
  2. Geraghty PR, Kee ST, Mc Farlane G, Razavi MK, Sze DY, Dake MD. CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy of pulmonary nodules: needle size and pneumothorax rate.Radiology.2003 Nov;229(2):475-81.
  3. Herman PG, Hessel SJ. The diagnostic accuracy and complications of closed lung biopsies. Radiology. 1977 Oct;125(1):11-4.
  4. Mohammad GM. CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of thoracic lesions. JIMA 2001:99(10):1-5.
  5. Mondal SK, Nag D, Das R, Mandal PK, Biswas PK, Osta M. Computed tomogram guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of lung mass with histological correlation : A study in Eastern India. South Asian J Cancer. 2013 Jan;2(1):14-8. doi: 10.4103/2278-330X.105881.
  6. Singh JP, Garg L, Setia V. Computed tomography guided fine needle aspiration cytology in difficult thoracic mass lesions-not approchable by USG. Indian J radiology. Imaging 2004 May:14:395-400.
  7. Saha A, Kumar K, Choudhuri MK. Computed tomography-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of thoracic mass lesions: A study of 57 cases. J Cytol. 2009 Apr;26(2):55-9. doi: 10.4103/0970-9371.55222.
  8. Tan KB, Thamboo TP, Wang SC, Nilsson B, Rajwanshi A, Salto-Tellez M. Audit of transthoracic fine needle aspiration of the lung : cytological subclassification of bronchogenic carcinomas and diagnosis of tuberculosis. Singapore Med J. 2002 Nov; 43(11):570-5.
  9. Bandyopadhyay A, Laha R, Das TK et al. CT guided fine needle aspiration cytology of thoracic mass lesions: A prospective study of immediate cytological evaluation : Indian J pathological Microbiology. 2007 Jan; 50(1) : 51-5.
  10. Shah S, Shukla K, Patel P. Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of lung tumours-a study of 100 cases. Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2007 Jan; 50(1):56-8.
  11. Madan M and Bannur H. Evaluation of FNAC in lung disease. Turk J pathology. 2010 Nov; 26(1): 1-6.
  12. Arslan S, Yilmaz A, Bayramgurler B, Uzman O, Unver E, Akkaya E: CT-guided transthoracic fine needle aspiration of pulmonary lesions: accuracy and complications in 294 patients. Med Sci Monit 2002, 8: 493-497.