[Thin-needle aspiration biopsy in thoracic lesions. Analysis of 60 cases in a General Zone Hospital]

The intention of the study was to confirm the usefulness of the transthoracic fine needle biopsy aspiration (FNBA) procedure, in a second level hospital that did not have technologically advanced equipment to locate thoracic diseases, such as computerized tomography, fluoroscopy or ultrasonography. Employing a vertical and horizontal coordinate design and posteroanterior as well as lateral radiological studies, specimens were taken from 77 patients. Of this total only 60 (77.9%) were in proper conditions to be examined; in seven (11.6%) patients a second aspiration was required. Of the total suitable specimens, malignant neoplasms were found in 46 (76.7%), and inflammatory diseases were detected in 14 (23.3%). The most frequent diagnoses were squamous cell carcinoma in 20 (33.3%), undifferentiated carcinoma in seven (11.6%), and bronchoalveolar carcinoma in another seven (11.6%). In 12 patients, it was possible to obtain tissue samples and in two patients, autopsy was performed; in all of them, the FNBA diagnoses were confirmed. Four (6.6%) patients suffered complications like pneumothorax, three were cured spontaneously, and one was treated with tube drainage. FNBA demonstrated its usefulness in a hospital with limited technological resources; 77.9% of the patients were property diagnosed with reduced cost, minimal morbidity, and without mortality.