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Original ArticleOpen Access
Transthoracic Aspiration Cytology for the Diagnosis of Thoracic Infection
Tangthangtham A 
,
Subhannachart P
,
Subhannachart P The article describes the use and results of transthoracic aspiration cytology for diagnosis
of thoracic infection in a Thai referral chest center. We reviewed 60 cytologic samples, initially
diagnosed as thoracic infection or inflammation among a total of 532 percutaneous transthoracic
needle aspirations obtained from patients with clinical suspicion of malignancy in a period of 6
years. Follow-up clinical data were collected and correlated with cytologic diagnosis. We found
specific microorganisms in 8 samples (13.33% ). These included 4 cases of actinomycosis, 3 cases
of cryptococcosis and a case of aspergillosis. Granulomatous inflammation was found in 12
samples (20.00% ). Among these patients, 10 cases were verified as having tuberculosis. The
remaining 40 samples (66.67%) revealed acute inflammatory exudate with no specific micro-
organism. Follow-up clinical data confirmed or assumed infection in 27 cases. Therefore, in
patients with thoracic infection who presented with clinical suspicion of malignancy, from our
experience, aspiration cytology revealed adequate morphology for accurate diagnosis which
resulted in prompt specific treatment and better prognosis.
Key word
: Aspiration Cytology, Thoracic Infection, Transthoracic Aspiration
of thoracic infection in a Thai referral chest center. We reviewed 60 cytologic samples, initially
diagnosed as thoracic infection or inflammation among a total of 532 percutaneous transthoracic
needle aspirations obtained from patients with clinical suspicion of malignancy in a period of 6
years. Follow-up clinical data were collected and correlated with cytologic diagnosis. We found
specific microorganisms in 8 samples (13.33% ). These included 4 cases of actinomycosis, 3 cases
of cryptococcosis and a case of aspergillosis. Granulomatous inflammation was found in 12
samples (20.00% ). Among these patients, 10 cases were verified as having tuberculosis. The
remaining 40 samples (66.67%) revealed acute inflammatory exudate with no specific micro-
organism. Follow-up clinical data confirmed or assumed infection in 27 cases. Therefore, in
patients with thoracic infection who presented with clinical suspicion of malignancy, from our
experience, aspiration cytology revealed adequate morphology for accurate diagnosis which
resulted in prompt specific treatment and better prognosis.
Key word
: Aspiration Cytology, Thoracic Infection, Transthoracic Aspiration
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