The Values and Complications of Aspiration Biopsy Cytology

Abstract

Over the past 9 years, we studied 1090 cases of ABC (aspiration biopsy cytology) and 258 cases of malignant tumor. There were 3 false positive cases (1.2%) and 6 cases (2.3%) of histological misdiagnosis. Although we have not experienced fatal complications yet, we have recognized tuberuculous change in the needle tract after postoperative histology as a case of lymphoadenitis tuberuculosa. A search of the literature has revealed 4 cases of needle tract seeding after large needle biopsy and a case of embolism in the cerebral artery after ABC of head and neck lesions. Fatal complications of ABC were reported in 7 cases. Although the incidence of complication after ABC is not obvious, fatal complications of ABC are very rare in comparison with large needle biopsy and we consider that ABC is a safe method of clinical diagnosis. ABC imposes less burden on patients and differentiation of benign from malignant and identification of the presumable histological type are possible. Therefore, we conclude that ABC can be applied clinically in oto-rhino-laryngology. © 1995, The Society of Practical Otolaryngology. All rights reserved.