Needle aspiration biopsy
Needle aspiration biopsy (NAB), also known as fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and fine needle aspiration (FNA), is a medical procedure performed to diagnose certain kinds of medical conditions, such as lumps in the neck.  A thin needle is inserted into a mass or lump to extract cells that will be examined under a microscope.  Fine needle aspiration biopsies are very safe, minor surgical procedures.  Often, a major surgical (excisional or open) biopsy can be avoided by performing a needle aspiration biopsy instead.