Role of fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology in the management of neck swellings

One hundred and eighty fine needle aspirates [FNA] of neck swellings were studied prospectively. These included 90 lymph node, 66 thyroid gland and 24 parotid swellings, Histologically, there were 99 malignant and 81 benign swellings, The overall cytologic accuracy rate was 91.1%, while the sensitivity was 86.5% and the specificity was 100%. These rates varied with the organ to be aspirated as well as with the nature of lesion. Detailed cytomorphologic characterization of selected neck swellings was presented