Role of ultrasound guided transthoracic fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosing various lung lesions

Background: Transthoracic Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is regarded as the most effective of the cytological methods for diagnosing lung cancer, in particular peripherally-located lesions. Aim: To evaluate the role of sonography in percutaneous Fine needle aspiration Cytology of peripheral pulmonary lesions. Materials and methods: This was the prospective study done in peripheral pulmonary lesions. Total number of patients in the study was 81. Results: 61 patients (75.3%) were Males, while 20 (24.6%) were Female. The Male: Female ratio was 3:1. The mean age of patients in this study was 48. The youngest patient was aged 26 years and oldest was aged 71 years giving an age range of 26 to 71 years. 54(66%) patients of this study were smokers. Only 3 female patients were smokers. The most common symptom was cough and sign was anemia. Left side and Left Upper Zone of lung was most involved area in lung. Squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest cytological type noted accounting for 60% followed by adenocarcinoma. In non-malignant lesions tuberculosis was most commonly observed in total 81 Complications of needle biopsy were 2 cases (2.4%) were with Hemoptysis and 3 cases (3.7%) were with Pneumothorax. Conclusion: It is concluded that Ultrasound Guided Transthoracic Fine Needle Aspiration cytology of peripheral pulmonary lesions abutting the chest wall is Acceptable, Simple, Safe, Quick, Accurate and Useful.