Fine needle aspiration of solitary pulmonary lesions

A 2-year experience using 25G sized needles for transthoracic fine needle aspiration (FNA) for solitary lung lesions under computed tomography (CT) guidance is documented with the main objective of reducing the postoperative complications through the use of a needle smaller than that previously routinely used. This study, in the hospital experience, demonstrated that FNAs became complication-free with the use of a smaller needle; whilst the sensitivity of the procedure was not much compromised. The duration of the hospitalization for the patients was reduced to under 24 h. The mandatory postoperative chest radiography can therefore be eliminated, provided no adverse clinical signs and symptoms are noted during the postoperative period. This is one of the first documented reports using 25G needles for FNAs. Further studies are needed on a wider scale to confirm the findings, (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.