TRANSTHORACIC FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY IN DIAGNOSING NON-RESOLVING PNEUMONIAS - A STUDY OF 170 CASES

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Non-resolving pneumonias present a diagnostic challenge.
• Accurate etiological diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic role of transthoracic fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in non-resolving pneumonias.
• To assess the sensitivity and accuracy of FNAC in differentiating neoplastic and benign lesions.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 170 patients with non-resolving pneumonias.
• Transthoracic fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed.
• Cytological findings were correlated with final diagnoses.

Main Results:

• FNAC diagnosed 51 primary lung cancers, 6 metastatic deposits, and 1 mesothelioma.
• Benign lesions included 56 pneumonias/abscesses and 35 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Sensitivity for malignant lesions was 95.5%, with 95.3% accuracy in cytological characterization.
• No false positive reports were recorded.
• FNAC aided in diagnosing sputum-negative pulmonary tuberculosis.

Conclusions:

• Transthoracic fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a valuable tool for diagnosing non-resolving pneumonias.
• FNAC demonstrates high accuracy and sensitivity in identifying malignant lung lesions.
• The procedure is useful for diagnosing sputum-negative pulmonary tuberculosis with minimal complications.