Needle aspiration biopsy. Diagnosis of subcutaneous nodules and lymph nodes

Needle aspiration biopsies were performed on 130 patients with lymphadenopathy or subcutaneous nodules. Within this group, there were 88 malignant specimens, with 84 interpreted as positive and four as suspicious. There were no false-positive findings in benign-lesion speciemens. The method is rapid, inexpensive, and relatively atraumatic and can be utilized in lieu of ordinary surgical excision.