What defines Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNA)?

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNA) is a diagnostic procedure used to collect cells from a lesion or mass for cytological examination. The defining characteristic of FNA is that direct smears are made during the collection process. This technique involves using a thin, hollow needle to extract tissue or fluid from a lesion, and the cells obtained are then spread onto a glass slide to create a direct smear. This allows for an immediate assessment of the cellular characteristics, which is crucial for diagnosing various conditions, including cancers.

The production of direct smears during the collection aids in preserving the integrity of the sample for cytological analysis and enables quick diagnostic evaluations. This is particularly important in clinical settings where time-sensitive decisions may need to be made based on the results.

Other options such as freezing the samples immediately, requiring general anesthesia for all collections, or limiting samples to only liquid specimens do not accurately define the process or practice of FNA. In many cases, FNA can be performed without anesthesia, and it is not limited to liquid specimens but can involve solid masses as well. Therefore, the emphasis on making direct smears during the collection is what distinctly identifies Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy.