FNA Mapping

FNA Mapping or Fine Needle Aspiration Mapping is a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat various types of cancers, cysts, infections, and other diseases. It involves the use of a thin, hollow needle to extract cells from a specific area of the body for microscopic examination.

Procedure

The FNA Mapping procedure is typically performed by a radiologist or a pathologist. The area to be examined is first numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, guided by ultrasound or CT scan, the physician inserts a fine needle into the suspicious area and extracts a sample of cells. The cells are then placed on a glass slide, stained, and examined under a microscope by a pathologist.

Uses

FNA Mapping is used to diagnose a variety of conditions. It is most commonly used to investigate lumps or masses found in areas such as the thyroid, breast, lymph nodes, and lungs. It can also be used to assess the progress of treatment or to guide surgery.

Benefits and Risks

The main benefit of FNA Mapping is that it is less invasive than surgical biopsy. It causes less discomfort and has fewer risks. However, it may not always provide a definitive diagnosis, and in some cases, a surgical biopsy may still be needed.

See Also

• Biopsy
• Cancer diagnosis
• Pathology