Role of FNAC in head and neck region lymphadenopathy - A tertiary care centre experience

ABSTRACT

Background: FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) is a well accepted technique and plays an important role in early diagnosis of head and neck lesions. It is a safe and inexpensive outdoor procedure. Materials and methods: This study was carried out over a period of 9 months (January 2021 to September 2021). A total of 60 patients with head and neck lymphadenopathy were subjected to FNAC at a tertiary care centre in Vadodara, Gujarat. All reports were recorded and data was entered and analyzed using Microsoft excel. Results: In the present study, the various causes of head and neck lymphadenopathy were classified according to cytomorphological patterns. Among the diagnostic outcome, overall prevalence of granulomatous lymphadenitis was 35% (21 cases), reactive hyperplasia was 26.67% (16 cases), secondary metastases were 18.33% (11 cases), lymphoma was 10% (6 cases) and acute non-specific lymphadenitis was 10% (6 cases). Conclusion: FNAC is simple, quick, inexpensive and safe diagnostic procedure which also is an useful adjunct to histopathology.