Diagnostic Accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Neck Swellings

Abstract

Neck swellings are commonest incidental findings that are present in all age groups. Objective of the current research was to study the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in neck swellings keeping histopathology as gold standard. Material and methods: This is a prospective study conducted from January 2017 to December 2017 comprising of 70 cases of neck lesions who underwent FNAC at Adesh Hospital Bathinda. Histopathological diagnosis was considered as gold standard. Efficacy of FNAC was determined in terms of sensitivity, specificity, Positive predictive value, Negative Predictive value and diagnostic accuracy. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, Positive predictive value, Negative Predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were 83.33%, 100%, 100%, 98.46% and 98.57%. Conclusion: FNAC should be treated as a first-line diagnostic test for neck swellings. As maximum number of cases of head and neck lesions are nonneoplastic, FNAC can avoid unnecessary surgeries.