Comparison of fine‐needle aspiration techniques

Abstract

BackgroundFine‐needle aspiration (FNA) has been reported since 1912 beginning with the use of trocars and other specialized instruments that were impractical. Since then, FNA has proven to be a successful alternative technique to excisional biopsy for some assays despite a few limitations.MethodsIn this study, we compared four different techniques for FNA in rhesus macaques by evaluating total live cells recovered and cell viability using a standard 6 mL syringe and 1.5‐inch 22‐gauge needle.ResultsTechnique B which was the only technique in which the needle was removed from the syringe after collection of the sample to allow forced air through the needle to expel the contents into media followed by flushing of the syringe and needle resulted in the highest total cell count and second highest cell viability in recovered cells.ConclusionBased on our results, Technique B appears to be the superior method.