Accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy in diagnosing parotid gland malignancy

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy of FNAB in detecting parotid malignancies in our institution.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong><br /><strong>Design:</strong> Restrospective Chart Review<br /><strong>Setting:</strong> Tertiary Government Hospital<br /><strong>Participants:</strong> Postoperative records of seventy six (76) patients with tumors of the parotid gland preoperatively diagnosed by FNAB. <br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The sensitivity of FNAB was 46%. The specificity and positive predictive value were both 100% and negative predictive value was 90%. Overall accuracy in diagnosing malignant parotid tumor was 91%.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> FNAB in this institution is a poor predictor of malignancy, having a sensitivity rate of only 46%. While this may serve as a basis for not recommending pre-operative FNAB for patients with parotid tumors in the interim, other factors should also be considered, including concerns with the actual performance and interpretation of FNAB in our institution.<br /><br /> </p>