title: An assessment of fine-needle sampling techniques.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fine-needle cytology sampling, when adequate, is highly sensitive and specific for tissue-type diagnosis, with figures of 94% and 88%, respectively. This study explores the technique of sampling to reduce interoperator variability and ensure maximal tissue yield.
  
  
  METHODS
  Apple cortical tissue was sampled as a proxy of human lymph node. A total of 200 samples, by four methods, with 50 by each sampling method, were taken using blue venepuncture needles and weighed to assess tissue yield.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's HSD test. Comparable yields, by mass, were achieved by both straight lance and coring techniques (P > 0.05). Significantly greater yield was achieved with a multiplanar technique (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiplanar sampling increases mass yield of tissue in fine-needle sampling. Coring appears to have little bearing on yield.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK. puneet@titoria.com
authors.forename: Puneet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Titoria
authors.forename: Thiru M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Siva
authors.forename: Tass
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Malik
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D027845:Malus; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results