Percutaneous lymph node aspiration biopsy: experience with a new technique.

Experience with post-lymphographic percutaneous fine needle aspiration lymph node biopsy is described in 13 patients with suspected metastatic malignant disease. All aspirations were performed using an anterior transabdominal approach under local anaesthesia with fluoroscopic guidance. In most patients more than one lymph node was biopsied. Four patients with confirmed metastatic disease had a positive biopsy in the appropriate lymph node. Seven patients with negative biopsies had the absence of metastatic disease confirmed by surgery or follow-up roentgenograms. One patient with a negative biopsy was lost to follow-up. There were two patients with negative biopsies in whom representative lymphoid tissue was not aspirated. No evidence of metastasis was found in these patients at surgery. No serious complications were encountered.