AbstractIntroduction: Computed Tomography (CT) guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of suspicious lung lesions is a widely accepted diagnostic method with relatively low cost, negligible mortality and limited morbidity. CT guided FNAC is helpful in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions and confirming the diagnosis which would help the clinicians in deciding the therapeutic management. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pathological spectrum of lung lesions through CT guided FNAC. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study which was carried out in the department of Pathology, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore. Fifty patients having lung space occupying lesion (SOL) on chest X-ray and CT scan were selected for the procedureand were included in the study. Results: Out of 50 cases, 37 were males and 13 females. Age range was from 25 to 80 years with mean age of 58.8 yrs. Majority were Non Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) (13 cases, 26%), of which 3 were suggestive of primary adenocarcinoma and one was a case of squamous cell carcinoma(SCC), followed by 8 cases of adenocarcinoma (16%) (Figure 1) , 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (4%), 2 cases of small cell carcinoma (4%), 4 cases of poorly differentiated carcinoma(8%) and one case each of metastatic carcinoma, neuroendocrine origin and fungus (Aspergillosis). Conclusion: There is increasing role of cytology in diagnosing both neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions of lung. Performing FNAC is much easier and helps in prompt diagnosis and management of patients.
Keywords: Lung; Aspiration; Adenocarcinoma; Aspergillosis.