Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (USG-FNA) biopsies have traditionally been performed in the radiology department, with radiologists performing the procurement with or without on-site cytotechnologists or pathologists to provide adequacy or diagnostic evaluation of the specimen. However, more recently, these image-guided biopsies have been performed by endocrinologists and now cytopathologists. Starting an USG-FNA service is a big task that requires consideration of multiple factors, including training, certification, privileges, equipment, documentation, information technology (IT) issues, and the overall business plan or financial component. In this review, the issues confronted when bringing on an USG-FNA service are discussed in detail in an effort to highlight the issues and challenges that many cytopathology laboratories are facing when implementing this new service.
Keywords: Cytology; Cytopathology; Fine needle aspiration; Fine needle biopsy; Ultrasound; Ultrasound-guided.
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