Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Fine-needle Aspiration Performed by In-training Pulmonologist: A Comparative Study With Interventional Radiologists.

Abstract

Abstract: Ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed by an in-training pulmonologist. This is a retrospective study of 73 patients who underwent US-guided FNA by pulmonologist and interventional radiologist. Comparable diagnostic yield was found in this study (88.0% vs 81.3%, P = 0.460), but a higher number of second diagnostic procedures was seen in the Interventional Radiology group (22.9% vs 16.0%, P = 0.488). No significant complications were reported in the pulmonary group. In-training pulmonologists can safely perform US-guided FNA for thoracic and extrathoracic lesions.