Diagnostic utility of fine-needle sampling without aspiration: a prospective study.

Fine-needle sampling without aspiration (FNS) was done in 100 consecutive patients with 109 palpable masses. Its efficiency in obtaining adequate material is compared with conventional fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and found to be 80% with either method. FNS shows a diagnostic accuracy that correlates well with FNAC and histopathology. Malignant lesions are sampled more easily. Anatomic site has no influence on the yield. Most of the negative cases are small swellings, less than 1.5 cm in diameter. It is more cost effective than FNAC. Trauma to the tissues and the resultant artifacts are less. It is relatively painless and can safely be applied to many areas, including some sensitive sites.