RESUMO
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to compare the fine‑needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and the fine‑needle non‑aspiration cytology (FNNAC) techniques in head and neck swellings and to study the cytology features of various head and neck swellings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 138 cases of head and neck swellings were sampled by a single operator, using both FNAC and FNNAC techniques. The two techniques were compared for the five objective parameters, amount of background blood or clots, amount of cellular material present, retention of appropriate architecture, degree of cellular degeneration and degree of cellular trauma, using Mair’s point scoring system. RESULTS: Blood contamination was similar in FNNAC as compared to FNAC in all cases. The difference was not statistically significant. Cellular yield was more in FNNAC in Thyroid and salivary gland lesions, with a significant statistical difference being noted in both. Better retention of architecture with a statistically significant difference was seen in FNNAC smears from lymph node lesions. There was no significant difference between the two techniques in degree of background blood. More number of FNNAC smears was diagnostically superior. CONCLUSION: The FNNAC technique provides an adequate cellular yield for a definite diagnosis in all head and neck swellings, except in cystic and fibrotic swellings where FNAC is a better technique.