Background

 We present a modified technique of fine needle biopsy also known as, "fine needle capillary technique". This technique was first developed by Zajdela and coworkers (1987) as a cytological method in benign and malignant breast lesions. Fine needle capillary technique does not require aspiration of cell samples via negative pressure created by a syringe. A thin 25 G needle (outer diameter 0.50 mm, length 25 mm) is introduced into the lesion with one hand. The cells are detached by the cutting edge of the needle and are conducted into the lumen by capillary force. The needle is removed and the cellular material is expelled onto a glass slide, spread, and immediately fixed

Materials &Methods

The present study was undertaken to assess the quality of smears obtained by capillary technique while comparing it with aspiration cytology inlymphnode and salivary glands Included granulomatous, suppurative, non spedicfic lymphadenitis, Non Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, metastasis, were chronic sialadenitis, suppurativeparotitis, pleomorphic adenoma  adenoid cystic carcinoma and Mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Mair et al point scoring system was used to score the aspirates

Results

Total number of lymphnode lesions were 28. Out of these, granulomatous lymphadenitis constituted 10 cases (35.71%), Non Hodgkin lymphoma 3 cases (10.71%), Hodgkin lymphoma 2 cases, suppurative lymphadenitis 2 cases (7.14%), Metastasis 7 cases (25%), and  therest 4 cases (14.28%) were reactive lymphadenitis. Salivary gland lesions were 18 (13.04%). Of these 3 cases (17.6%) were chronic sialadenitis, 2 cases (16.66%) were suppurativeparotitis, 11 (61.11%) pleomorphic adenoma, 1 case (5.55%) of adenoid cystic carcinoma and 1 case of Mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Conclusion

Fine needle capillary technique is easy to perform, has better patient acceptability, and  gives good quality  smears in lymphnode aspirates however aspiration technique yields good amount of cellular material than capillary technique in salivary gland aspirates which is optimal for diagnosis