While there is much evidence that fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FMAB) is sensitive and specijk, there is little in formation comparing the proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates obtained by clinicians or pathologists. We reviewed 2.1 99 FNAB reports of superficial lesions. Cases were grouped by organ/site and according to who performed the biopsy. The proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates were computed for clinicians and pathologists. Both groups performed approximately equal numbers of procedures. Overall, 9% of aspirates obtained were unsatisfactory (n = 191). Pathologists had lower proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates in all sites. Of aspirates obtained by clinicians, 14% were unsatisfactory, compared to 3% of those obtained by pathologists (P < ,00001). The proportion of unsatisfactory aspirates appears to decrease as physician experience increases, and pathologists may have more experience with FMAB than do clinicians. Other advantages pathologists may have include technique and working with tissue regularly. Both clinicians and pathologists can expect to decrease their proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates by perform-