Determination of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology: An Important Tool for Diagnosis of Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis

The aim of study is to evaluate early diagnosis of tuberculosis with simple and easy technique and to study in occurrence at various extra pulmonary sites. In our country, tuberculosis is the most common and serious infectious cause of death. Tuberculosis can affect any organ system in our body, and while pulmonary tuberculosis is the most frequent, extrapulmonary tuberculosis is still a serious disease. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is very useful in diagnosis of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. This is a 12 yr study of 17,640 cytological smears received in cytology laboratory of a tertiary care centre between Jan 2000 to March 2012 out of 17,640 smears 1038(5.88%) turned out as tubercular lesions. Our study reveal tuberculosis is more common in females 721 cases(69.46%) than in males 317(30.53%) with male is to female ratio 1:2.27 . lymph node was the most common site in both sexes i.e. 975 cases(93.93%) out of 1038. We also found that tuberculosis is most common in age group 14-45 yrs. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is a significant diagnostic technique that is gaining popularity because to its simple method, quick results, and low risk of consequences.