Fine needle aspiration cytology of salivary gland lesions reported immediately in a head and neck clinic

Abstract

This paper describes the application of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) performed on92 patients with salivary gland lesions in a Head and Neck Surgery Clinic. The aspirates were immediately reported by a cytopathologist and the reports conveyed to the surgeon during the same clinic visit. FNAC results were then compared with histology in those patients who underwent surgery and with the clinical course of the disease at subsequent clinic visits in patients where surgery was not performed. The cytological diagnosis was incorrect in five cases, one of which was a false negative result. There were no false positive results. The sensitivity was 90.9 per cent and the specificity 100 per cent. This rapid report system of fine needle aspiration cytology has been found to be safe, free of complications, and helpful in the planning of treatment.

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Salivary Gland, 1985–1995

“…Other advantages are the lower cost and absence of general anesthesia. 4,18 The theoretical possibility of disseminating neoplastic cells along the needle track should be considered. 17 Since FNAB has proven to be so useful in the study of salivary gland pathologies, it has become the principal research technique.…”

“…6,9,12,19 The choice is motivated by the sensitivity (about 90%, range 81-100%), specificity (about 95%, range 94-100%) and diagnostic accuracy (about 90%, range 61-95%) values reported. 2,5,14,18,21 With FNAB, surgery on nonneoplastic lesions can be avoided, if unnecessary, or planned, if necessary. 3 A few reports, mostly from the United States, 1,16 are in disagreement.…”

Role of Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology in Swellings of the Parotid Region

“…Various authors have reported a diagnostic accuracy of more than 80%, with sensitivity and specificity approaching 90% and 100% respectively [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Tumor dissemination or implantation in a fine needle track has not been reported, nor has damage to adjacent structures such as the facial nerve.…”

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Parotid Gland

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Besides being safe, economical and easy to perform, it causes little discomfort for the patient, with a minimal risk of implantation of tumor cells. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] When performed and evaluated by experienced clinicians and cytopathologists in a close liaison, FNA not only reduces the necessity of surgical intervention but also can be helpful for treatment planning.…”