experimental status of fine needle aspiration cytology of head and neck lesions in a tertiary care scenario

ABSTRACT

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology being a minimally invasive technique, is particularly suitable in the sensitive head and neck area where an incisional biopsy may cause problems. FNAC can obviate the need for surgery if the lesion is shown to be non neoplastic or if it confirms suspected metastatic or recurrent tumor. A preoperative cytological diagnosis of a primary neoplasm may allow more rational planning of surgery. This descriptive observational study was carried out at the Department of pathology, DDRRL Dow University of Health Sciences and Sindh Government Qatar hospital during the year 2008-09. A total of 518 consecutive FNAC's of head and neck lesions were included. Out of this 356 cases were from cervical lymphnodes, 124 cases were from thyroid and 38 cases from salivary glands. A total of 45 cases were found malignant and 473 cases were reported as benign lesions