Fine-needle aspiration uses a needle gauge typically in which range?

Fine-needle aspiration uses a needle gauge typically in which range?

• A. 18-22 gauge
• B. 20-22 gauge
• C. 14-18 gauge
• D. 22-25 gauge

Answer: (B)

Fine-needle aspiration relies on using a small-bore needle to withdraw cells with minimal tissue damage. The gauge size is inverted: smaller numbers mean a larger needle, larger numbers mean a finer needle. For cytology, you want enough cells without causing unnecessary trauma, so a 20 to 22 gauge needle provides a good balance—it's fine enough to minimize tissue disruption and patient discomfort, yet large enough to obtain an adequate cellular sample. Using a much larger bore (like 14–18 gauge) would increase tissue injury and bleeding, while a much smaller bore (like 22–25 gauge) can yield fewer cells and may require more passes to get enough material. Hence, the typical range is 20–22 gauge.

Fine-needle aspiration relies on using a small-bore needle to withdraw cells with minimal tissue damage. The gauge size is inverted: smaller numbers mean a larger needle, larger numbers mean a finer needle. For cytology, you want enough cells without causing unnecessary trauma, so a 20 to 22 gauge needle provides a good balance—it's fine enough to minimize tissue disruption and patient discomfort, yet large enough to obtain an adequate cellular sample. Using a much larger bore (like 14–18 gauge) would increase tissue injury and bleeding, while a much smaller bore (like 22–25 gauge) can yield fewer cells and may require more passes to get enough material. Hence, the typical range is 20–22 gauge.