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Pathologists perform superficial FNAs on sites including thyroid, breast, salivary glands and lymph nodes. This sampling technique can provide a prompt, cost effective and safe diagnostic tool in the evaluation of lesions. FNAs are often used as an alternative to surgery or to determine the course of treatment and/or assist in a planned surgical approach. Interpretation of material obtained by radiographically-guided fine needle aspirations of deeper sites (i.e. liver, lung, retroperitoneum) is an additional diagnostic avenue available.
