Ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration in Tikur Anbessa Hospital: a report of preliminary experience.

Ultrasound guided intervention was performed in Tikur Anbessa Hospital for two consecutive years in 72 patients from surgical, medical and paediatric wards who had abdominal masses, abscesses, pulmonary and mediastinal masses and encysted pleural effusions with the objective of avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention and to generate awareness among physicians as to the potential use of ultrasound in the management of similar patients. There were 41 males and 31 females. Twenty nine patients were from surgical, 28 patients from paediatric and the remaining 15 from medical ward. There were 30 thoracic and 42 abdominal indications for ultrasound guided intervention. The patients had a mean age of 25 years. Successful diagnostic tap with or without drainage and ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of intra-thoracic and abdominal abscesses and masses were performed, except in one anterior mediastinal mass of which the fine needle aspiration result was inconclusive. Unnecessary surgery was obviated hence morbidity and mortality were reduced and unnecessary cost avoided, and appropriate planning of treatment regimen was assisted. Complication from the procedure were minimal, and included mild haemoptysis from inadvertent puncture of one of the chest hydatid, and asymptomatic iatrogenic pneumothorax from puncture of anterior mediastinal mass.