Fine Needle Aspirate (offsite at selected sites only)

Testing Laboratory

Department

Cytology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

MW FNA

Test Code (Numeric Code)

9343

Laboratory Handling

Transport

NA

Test Adds Requirement

Bookings are required - phone APS Secretaries on (09) 639 0212

Sample Stability

NA

Synonyms

ASPIRATE (Fine needle aspiration)
FNA - OFF-SITE COLLECTED SPECIMEN
NON GYNAECOLOGICAL CYTOLOGY - FNA
NON GYNAECOLOGICAL CYTOLOGY (Aspirate)
CT FNA
IMAGING PROCEDURE
RADIOLOGICALLY GUIDED FNA
ULTRASOUND FNA

Turnaround Time

5 days

80% completion in 5 working days

Specimen Type

• Aspirate

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• N/A

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• N/A

Additional Specimen Information

APS offers this service to specialty sites where the FNA is performed off-site by a radiologist. An APS cytology registrar, cytology scientist or pathologist will attend the radiology room.
These sites include:
Mercy Radiology
Astra Radiology
Ormiston Hospital
Beyond Radiology
Auckland Radiology Group
Canopy Imaging
Auckland Radiology
Waitemata Endoscopy (EUS)

Test Method

Fine Needle Aspirates performed offsite are with/out the aid of an X-ray or ultrasound by the radiologist.
Specimens centrifuged and cellular material is transferred onto glass slides, fixed and stained for cytological examination under a microscope.
Surplus material may be made into a Cytology cellblock (plasma-thrombin clot) for ancillary studies e.g. special stains; immunohistochemistry.

Limitations / Interference

FNA cytology is subject to sampling limitations, and diagnostic accuracy depends on lesion accessibility, operator technique, and adequacy of the specimen. Non-diagnostic or paucicellular samples may occur.
Cytology provides limited architectural information compared with histology, which may restrict definitive classification in some cases.
Reactive or degenerative changes may mimic malignancy, and prior treatment (e.g. chemotherapy or radiotherapy) may alter cellular features.
Blood contamination, poor smear preparation, and delays in fixation may also impact interpretation. In some cases, repeat FNA or tissue biopsy may be required for definitive diagnosis.

Uncertainty of Measurement

Uncertainty of measurement is not applicable to Fine Needle Aspirates as this is a qualitative, interpretative test.

These are done Monday-Friday by prior arrangement with the laboratory.

Bookings for procedures are made by phoning APS Histology Secretaries on 09 639 0212
Please note that the duration of these procedures varies.

Resources

• RCPA Manual
• NREGLLIN002 Completing a Lab Request Form
• APSMGMTCUSTIN012 Eligibility Requirements for Laboratory Referrals

Contact Information