accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of non thyroid neck masses: experience at Queen Alia Military Hospital

To assess the accuracy of cytological examination of non thyroid neck masses and to correlate the findings between cytology and subsequent histopathology examination at Queen Alia Military Hospital between 2001 and 2005. This study was carried out at Queen Alia Military Hospital between January 2001 and December 2005. The records of 104 adult patients, over a five-year period were reviewed. The definitive diagnosis of the palpable mass was determined by review of the patient's case notes. Sixty-four [61.5%] as malignant, and 10 [9.6%] as nondiagnostic. Histopathology of all the excised 104 specimens revealed that 70 [67.3%] had benign disease and 34 [32.7%] had malignant disease. The most common benign disease was pleomorphic adenoma with a sensitivity of 88.2%, a specificity of 98.1%, and an overall accuracy of 93.3%. The most common malignant pathology was squamous cell carcinoma with a sensitivity of 88.9%, a sensitivity, and accuracy were 86.9, 96.3% respectively. Fine needle aspiration biopsy in experienced hands is a good screening test with acceptable sensitivity and specificity in the assessment of non thyroid neck masses

Fibrocystic diagnosis of solid breast lump fine needle cytology need true cut biopsy to rule out malignancy

This study aimed at identifying the reasons for the false negative of fine needle aspiration cytology in the pre operative diagnosis of breast cancer. A prospective study involving 160 women with palpable breast lump studied by ultrasound and or mammogram, fine needle aspiration and core biopsy. There were 6 cases of false negative results by fine needle aspiration; 5 diagnosed as fibrocystic, 4 of them turned out later to belobular carcinoma, and one as infiltrating ductal carcinoma. One diagnosed as atypical cells turned out later to be lobular carcinoma, There was one false negative result by the core biopsy, which diagnosed as fibrocystic disease and turned out later to be lobular carcinoma. In all false negative cases was found associated with fibrocystic disease. We concluded that the presence of fibrocystic disease may mask a malignancy. Fine needle aspiration cytology is no more dependable in reassuring patients with solid breast lump diagnosed as fibrocystic disease. Core biopsy was more helpful in diagnosing lobular carcinoma and in ruling out malignancy infibrocystic disease