USG Guided FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) is a quick, painless, image-guided test in which a very thin needle is passed into a lump or nodule under live ultrasound vision to collect a few cells for laboratory analysis. It is the first-line investigation for thyroid nodules, breast lumps, neck swellings and lymph node enlargement. At our Bathinda clinic, FNAC is performed personally by Dr. Ambrish Raja with high-resolution ultrasound and a same-day cytology report.
When Is USG Guided FNAC Recommended?
- Thyroid nodules (any nodule > 1 cm or with suspicious features)
- Breast lumps
- Neck swelling or enlarged lymph nodes
- Salivary gland swelling (parotid / submandibular)
- Soft-tissue lumps anywhere in the body
- Deep abdominal or pelvic masses (when accessible)
How USG Guided FNAC Is Done
- The lump is scanned and the safest needle path is planned.
- The skin is cleaned and a tiny dose of local anaesthesia may be given.
- A very thin (23-25 G) needle is introduced into the lump under real-time ultrasound guidance.
- 2-3 needle passes are made to collect adequate cellular material.
- Smears are immediately prepared, fixed and sent to the cytopathology lab.
- Total procedure time: 10-15 minutes. You go home within 30 minutes.
Why USG Guided FNAC Is Better Than Blind FNAC
- Higher accuracy — needle is placed exactly inside the lesion, not the surrounding tissue
- Safer — blood vessels, nerves and trachea are visualised and avoided
- Inadequate sample rate is much lower — fewer repeat tests
- Suitable even for very small (5-10 mm) or deep nodules that cannot be felt
Is USG Guided FNAC Painful?
No — the needle used is even thinner than a blood-test needle. Most patients feel only a brief pinprick. There are no stitches and no recovery time. You can resume normal activity immediately.
Report Time & Cost
Cytology report is usually available within 24-48 hours (urgent same-day reports possible). The procedure is affordably priced and is covered by most TPA / insurance panels when clinically indicated. Call +91 90342 42189 for the current rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to come fasting?
No fasting is required for USG guided FNAC. Eat normally and take your routine medications.
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are very rare — minor bruising or soreness at the needle site that settles in a day. Serious complications are extremely uncommon.
Can FNAC tell if a lump is cancer?
Yes — FNAC is highly accurate at distinguishing benign from malignant lesions in most organs. In some cases an additional core biopsy may be needed for a complete diagnosis.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
A referral note or imaging report (ultrasound / CT) helps us plan the procedure, but we also accept self-referred patients after a brief consultation.
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