Ultrasound Fine Needle Aspiration

What is an Ultrasound Fine Needle Aspiration?

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) allows the collection of tissue samples as non-invasively as possible. We use ultrasound guidance to obtain very small samples (some only a few millimetres) from within organs like the thyroid gland or lymph nodes.

Understanding your procedure

An ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration is a simple, image-guided procedure that uses sound waves to pinpoint an abnormality and guide a thin needle in to remove a fluid or tissue sample. The cells taken as samples are tested by a pathologist to make a diagnosis or rule out conditions or abnormalities such as cancer.

Before your procedure:

Usually, no special preparation is required for this procedure. However, please let us know if you have any of the following:

• Inability to lie down.
• Respiratory problems.
• Anxiety.
• If you are taking any medication including blood thinners such as Warfarin.

When you arrive:

• Check in with reception.
• You will be taken to your procedure room and our radiologist will explain your procedure and ask for your consent.

During your procedure:

• In most cases a pre-procedure ultrasound will be performed to investigate the area and pinpoint the appropriate site for the needle to be inserted. 
• We will sterilise the injection site using antiseptic and usually administer a local anaesthetic. 
• The Fine Needle Aspiration technique involves advancing the needle under ultrasound guidance into the appropriate site, so you will be asked to stay very still.
• Multiple cell samples are taken before the needle is removed.
• A Pathologist will be present during the procedure, to review the cell samples and ensure there is adequate tissue for analysis before the procedure is concluded. 

After your procedure:

• We will apply pressure to the site and a gauze dressing if necessary. 
• You can usually go home and resume normal activities. 
• Your biopsy site may remain sore for a few days, however recovery time is generally short.