Role of image-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of lung lesions in diagnosis and primary care of patients: Experience in a Government Medical College of Eastern India.

Abstract

Lung cancer is the most common cancer affecting males worldwide. Its incidence in females is also on an increasing trend. Other conditions affecting lung-like tuberculosis are on a rise in middle-east countries due to overcrowding and poor living conditions. In developing countries, image-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of lung lesions is a cost-effective method for early detection and apt treatment of patients by physicians. The main aim of this study is to identify the importance of computed tomography (CT)guided FNAC as an accurate and cost-effective tool in early diagnosis of lung lesions. It was prospective and retrospective study done in a government medical college of West Bengal, India. Over a period of two years, 42 cases were included in the study. These were further subjected to evaluation of pulmonary mass lesions by CT guided transthoracic fine needle aspiration cytology. Out of these 42 cases majority were males with cough being most common clinical presentation. On CT guided FNAC of pulmonary lesions 69% of cases were malignant. Cytoradiological correlation in this study was 90.4%. CT guided FNAC of lung lesions is an accurate, cost effective and quick technique for early diagnosis, referral and appropriate treatment of patients in developing countries.