Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration (E-TTNA) for Sampling of Lung Nodules
Published on: May 23, 2015
Fine-needle aspiration: survey of clinical utility
1Head & Neck Surgical Group, the Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Mississipi Medical Center, USA.
Objectives:
The goal was to determine the features of clinical usage of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in this country in terms of utilization, indications, and practice and demographic characteristics of those who use FNA.
Study Design:
A survey was mailed to otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons (OTO-HNSs) in the United States. The results were totaled and analyzed for indications for FNA performance, practice setting, age, and geographic location of practitioners.
Results:
The most common indications for use of FNA were in the diagnoses of neck, thyroid, salivary, and other masses in the head and neck. In the survey group the average number of FNAs performed per month was 4.7 per respondent practitioner. FNA was statistically related to age (older physicians performed it less) and region of the country. FNAs are performed at a lower rate in the West.
Conclusions:
FNA is a commonly performed procedure. Certain groups of OTO-HNSs (older, located in western states) do not perform FNA as commonly as other OTO-HNSs. Further education regarding the merits of FNA is needed.
Related Concept Videos
Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due to...
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):

