Fine needle aspiration involves using a small gauge needle to collect tissue cells from an organ, tumour or mass within the abdomen. The cells are then smeared onto a slide and sent to a pathologist for interpretation.
Abdomino/thoracocentesis involves using a small gauge needle to collect fluid from the abdomen/thorax for diagnostic purposes. The fluid is sent to a pathologist for interpretation. Theraputic drainage of fluid may also be performed.
The use of ultrasound is important as it allows visualisation of the needle thereby increasing the diagnostic accuracy while also reducing the risk of trauma to surrounding structures.