FNAC diagnosis of salivary gland lesions with histopathological correlation.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The salivary gland lesions are relatively common clinical problems and range from non neoplastic lesions like sialadenitis and cysts to benign and malignant tumors of different malignant potential. FNAC is generally first diagnostic test in such patients. The objective of current study was to study the age, sex and site distribution of salivary gland lesions, and to analyze sensitivity and specificity of FNA diagnosis of salivary gland tumors by correlating with histopathological examination whenever available. Method: FNAC of all 90 patients was done using 22-gauge needle and 10 ml syringe applying negative pressure. Smears were either wet fixed or air dried and stained by H & E and Giemsa stain respectively. The histopathological specimens when available were fixed overnight in 10% formalin, processed using automatic tissue processor, stained with routine H & E stain and special stain if required and reported by a pathologist without prior knowledge of FNA diagnosis. Sensitivity & specificity of FNA diagnosis of salivary gland tumors were then analyzed. Results and conclusion: A total of 90 cases of salivary gland lesions were diagnosed on FNA, showing an overall male predominance with male to female ratio being 1.431. The maximum incidence of salivary gland lesions was observed in IV decade of life in both male and female patients. There were 36 (40%) non neoplastic and 54 (60%) neoplastic lesions which included 42 (46.7%) benign and 12 (13.3%) malignant neoplasm. Parotid gland was the commonest affected site, followed by submandibular and minor salivary glands but malignant lesions were commoner in minor salivary glands followed by Parotid gland. 49 cases in which histopathological correlation was available, there were 9 non neoplastic and 40 neoplastic lesions. There was no false positive diagnosis but one false negative diagnosis. Overall sensitivity and specificity of FNAC of salivary gland tumors were 97.5 and 100% respectively, thus FNAC is quite useful in diagnosing salivary gland lesions.