Fine needle aspiration

Question 1

Define fine needle aspiration

Answer 1

medical procedure used to withdraw fluid from lesions

Question 2

Describe what happens in a fine needle aspiration

Answer 2

• LA instilled to skin and subcut tissue
• Advance needle into lesion under image guidance
• Attach 20ml syringe to needle
• Aspirate syringe whilst moving to and fro within lesion

Question 3

What are the indications for fine needle aspiration?

Answer 3

•	Biopsy
o	Determine the nature of the lump
•	Assess treatment effectiveness
•	Sampling
o	Chorionic villus sampling
•	Aspiration
o	Of breast cysts and abscesses
o	Under US guidance

Question 4

Potential complications of aspiration?

Answer 4

• Post-operative pain
• Bleeding and bruising
• Infection
• Pneumothorax