Near-patient testing using fine-needle aspiration: A multidisciplinary breast clinic's experience

Breast fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is an important near-patient test for the anatomic pathologist. An FNAB cart allows for in-clinic aspirations and diagnoses before patients are discharged. Of 452 patients evaluated in our multidisciplinary breast clinic, FNAB was attempted in 72. The procedure was interrupted in 7 (9.7%) patients because of patient anxiety, and the results were unsatisfactory in 3 (4.2%). Forty-four FNABs were performed on 43 patients with temporally concordant FNABs and biopsy results. FNAB sensitivity and specificity were 97.7% and 100%, respectively. Successful implementation of a multidisciplinary breast clinic depends on careful staff selection and teamwork; the nurse manager of the clinic is the most important team member. Cytopathologic success depends on attention to indications, contraindications, technique, and interpretation. This is the third article in a four-part series. Other articles deal with immunocytochemistry and cytology's relationship to laboratory service.