What is done after inserting the needle into the center of a mass during a fine needle aspiration?

After inserting the needle into the center of a mass during a fine needle aspiration (FNA), strong pressure is applied by withdrawing the plunger. This action is crucial because it creates negative pressure within the syringe, allowing cells from the mass to be aspirated into the needle. The technique is designed to ensure that sufficient cellular material is collected for cytological examination, which is essential for accurate diagnosis. Proper aspiration technique maximizes the likelihood of obtaining an adequate sample, which is especially important when distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions.

The process emphasizes the importance of using controlled pressure to ensure that the sample collected represents the mass being examined while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and ensuring that adequate cellular material is retrieved for analysis.