Computed tomography‐guided transthoracic fine‐needle aspiration in diagnosis of lung cancer: A comparison of single‐pass needle and multiple‐pass coaxial needle systems and the value of immediate cytological assessment

Abstract

A single-pass needle technique in transthoracic fine-needle aspiration is preferred because there is no significant difference between single-pass needle and multiple-pass coaxial needle systems with respect to the diagnostic accuracy and the complication rate and, in addition, the single-pass needle has a lower cost. The results of the present study suggest that immediate cytological assessment during the procedure reduces an inadequate sampling rate, thus increasing the diagnostic accuracy of the procedure.