Safety and efficacy of unguided trans thoracic fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in outdoor patients.

We studied the safety and efficacy of unguided transthoracic fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in peripheral lung lesions in an outpatient setting in 62 patients. The diagnostic yield of unguided aspiration was 67.7 per cent. Smaller lesions usually required guided FNAB. Specific tissue diagnosis was obtained in all cases aspirated successfully. Complications were seen in 7 patients (pneumothorax in 4 and haemoptysis in 3 patients). With careful patient selection, unguided FNAB can be an effective out-patient procedure for diagnosing lung lesion beyond the reach of the fiberoptic bronchoscope.