Techniques in the fine needle aspiration biopsy of the prostate

In general, aspiration cytology of the prostate has not been a frequently used technique, in part because all too often there has been a poor yield of cells for cytologic evaluation. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate various needle designs and techniques for obtaining specimens and making slides. Cadaver prostates and surgical specimens were used to evaluate a series of 22 gauge aspiration needles. Cytology slides were fixed and stained with either Papanicolaou or hematoxylin and eosin stain. Coded slides were assigned a score representing the number of fields (magnification X 40) covered. The angle of the bevel or the size of the side-port (0.030 inch long and 0.01 inch deep or 0.045 inch long and 0.01 inch deep) did not significantly affect the results. However, the presence of the side-eye on a control spinal needle or an existing Franzen aspiration needle significantly improved the yield of cells (P less than .05). Frosted and non-frosted slides were evaluated as well as other techniques for making smears. In conclusion, an outline for making cytologic slides for aspirations of the prostate is presented.