Technical aspects of obtaining cellular material from lesions deep in the lung. A radiologist's view and description of the screw-needle sampling technique.

The technical aspects of obtaining cellular samples for cytologic diagnosis from lesions deep in the lung are discussed, with emphasis on the role of the radiologist and modern radiologic techniques in localizing lesions to be biopsied and in guiding the sampling needles. Fluoroscopically guided fine needle aspiration is covered, with attention paid to its diagnostic accuracy, the avoidance of complications and considerations of the needle gauge. The screw-needle biopsy instrument and its use are discussed in detail, especially its ability to obtain diagnostic samples from small or "hard" lesions that might be difficult to sample accurately with conventional needle aspiration techniques. The need for full collaboration between the pathologist/cytologist and the radiologist to maximize the benefits of these diagnostic techniques is stressed.