Needle (Aspiration) Biopsy

Needle aspiration has been a much used therapeutic and diagnostic procedure in general practice. The diagnostic possibilities are much greater when the macroscopic and bacteriologic examination of the aspirated material is extended to include sectioning and staining solid elements present. In the last few years various workers¹have demonstrated the practical application of this method in obtaining tissue for biopsy. It has been used in every part of the body including the prostate,²bone,³lung,⁴breast⁵and vertebral column.⁶Klinger and Burch⁷have used aspiration biopsy to obtain specimens of the endometrium. Others have modified the needle so as to use a punch⁸method. The diagnosis of bone lesions is materially aided by the use of needle (aspiration) biopsy. The procedure is relatively painless and not expensive, and the patient will often permit the insertion of a needle when he would