FNAC of salivary gland lesions with histopathological correlation

Abstract

Hypothesis: Analysis of salivary gland lesions by FNAC and correlation with histopathology. To evaluate utility of FNAC in salivary gland lesions.Back ground: Salivary gland lesions form about 2–6.5% of all head and neck neoplasms in adults. They are easily accessible for FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) and risks of fistula formation or tumour implantation are low compared surgical biopsy. Also, cytology can provide a distinction between asalivary and non salivary lesion, benign and malignant lesions so also specific and non specific inflammation.

Methods: Seventy patients were studied prospectively over two years. FNAC was done using 10 cc syringes and 20–22 no. needle. Histomorphology was assessed on routine H & E (haemotxylin and eosin) stained paraffin sections. SPAS (periodic acid Schiff) and mucicarmine satins were also done.

Results: 80% of the lesions were neoplastic (61% benign, 31% malignant) and 20% were neoplastic. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent benign neoplasm while mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most frequent malignant lesion. Among the non neoplastic lesions, the maximum number of cases were of chronic sialadentis. In the present study, FNAC has a sensitivity of 94.54% and specificity of 80.95% for neoplastic lesions.

Conclusions: FNAC was found to be a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of salivary gland lesions because of its simplicity, excellent patient compliance and rapid diagnosis. This cost effective tool is invaluable in planning the surgical management of the patient.