Cytological diagnosis by fine needle sampling without aspiration.

The merits of a simplified cytological method of fine needle sampling without aspiration are compared to those of the classical fine needle aspiration techniques in a series of benign and malignant mammary tumors which were subsequently proved histologically. A comparable cellular yield was obtained by both techniques. In a series of 635 benign and malignant breast tumors examined in 1981 with fine needle alone, insufficient cellular yield was recorded in 5.5% of the lesion. The same incidence (6%) was recorded with aspiration techniques in 7877 benign and malignant mammary tumors examined from 1954 to 1980. With the new technique, trauma is reduced and a better perception of the tumor and of its consistency is directly obtained.