THE ROLE OF FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST-LESIONS

Objective: To show that using a combination of clinical impression, mammogram, and fine-needle aspiration (FNA), an accurate diagnosis of breast lesions can be made in a gynecologic office setting. Study design: All patients requiring FNA between January 1987, to February 1990, had a clinical and mammographic impression recorded as to whether the lesion was benign or malignant. All lesions in which a FNA diagnosis was given were evaluated. Results: One hundred one patients met the criteria for inclusion into the study. There were two false-positives and one false-negative aspiration for carcinoma in the study. However, in all three of these patients, the clinical impression, or the mammogram, did not agree with the aspiration results. There were no false-negative or positive results when all three criteria were used. Conclusions: Although a larger study is needed to confirm this study, FNA in combination with clinical impression and mammogram can be used reliably to diagnose a breast lesion. © 1993 Academic Press. All rights reserved.