Role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in evaluating mediastinal masses

Background: Fine-needle aspiration cytology is an important and useful investigation and is considered next to imaging in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. We carried out this study in the Department of TB and respiratory diseases JNMC Aligarh from March 2000 to March 2002 with the following aims. Objectives: To make etiological diagnosis of mediastinal lesions, determine the pathological type of the tumor in cases of malignancy and evaluate the role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in staging of bronchogenic carcinoma. Materials and methods: A total of 56 patients were included in this study who had mediastinal mass with or without lung lesions on chest X-ray or computed tomography scan. Of these patients, 36 had mediastinal mass only and 20 had mediastinal mass with parenchymal lesion. Results: In the present study, of 56 patients, 36 had mediastinal masses and 20 had pulmonary mass. Conclusion: Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration is an easy and reliable method for reaching a quick tissue diagnosis in pulmonary and mediastinal masses.