An inexpensive method of improving visualisation of the needle tip in fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and histological biopsy have often been used to determine the nature of tumours. If the tumour is impalpable and situated deep inside an organ, obtaining the correct specimen requires the needle tip to penetrate into the tumour. To solve this problem we roughened the surface of the needle tip using a sterile ampoule file just before FNAB. We have tested out this method by using 1) a water bath and 2) meat in aspic as an intermediate material. The results indicate that roughening the needle tip improves the visualization. Roughening is the cheapest method and can be performed just before the FNAB.