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Fine needle aspiration biopsy in children
J E Orford1, I Gollow, B Brennan
1Division of Surgery, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Western Australia.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery
|December 16, 1997
Summary
Fine needle biopsy (FNB) is a safe and effective tool for diagnosing pediatric lymphadenopathy and masses. This minimally invasive technique aids in surgical planning and helps avoid unnecessary procedures in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Diagnostic Cytopathology
Background:
- Fine needle biopsy (FNB) adoption in pediatric care lags behind adult practice.
- FNB is a standard for screening lymphadenopathy and masses in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the early experience and utility of FNB in pediatric patients.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy and impact of FNB on treatment decisions in children.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-two FNB procedures were conducted on children aged 6 months to 14 years.
- Data collected on diagnostic yield, pathologist certainty, and surgical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Cytology provided a definitive diagnosis in 67% of cases.
- No false positives or negatives for malignancy were reported.
- FNB helped avoid surgery in 42% of patients and assisted surgical planning in 12%.
Conclusions:
- Fine needle biopsy is a simple, minimally invasive procedure.
- FNB is valuable for evaluating pediatric suspicious lymph nodes and masses.
- The technique improves diagnostic accuracy and patient management in pediatric oncology.