Critical analysis of head and neck swelling with respect to cytomorphological diagnosis: A retrospective study

Abstract

Head and neck lesions are common as compared to other body lesions. In head and neck swellings- cervical lymph node swellings, thyroid swellings and salivary gland enlargement are included. Fine needle aspiration cytology ( FNAC)is less invasive, cost effective, safe and satisfactory OPD procedure. To study the spectrum of lesions in head and neck in our semi urban area. And also assess the role of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosing the palpable head and neck swelling. This retrospective study was conducted in department of pathology over a duration of 6 months on all age group patients in both sex male, female. This study had included total number of 392 patients with neck swelling in both kind of patients either indoor or outdoor. The fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) procedure was done in these patients with using 23 gauge needle and 20 ml disposable syringe for aspiration. The study included total number of 392 cases. FNAC revealed 247 cases (63.01%) of cervical lymph node in which non neoplastic lesions were in 146(59.11%) and malignant lesions were in 85(34.41%) cases in which metastatic carcinoma was common. Fine needle aspiration cytology will be more helpful in neck swelling because of safe, cost effective and less painful comparatively biopsy. It can be easily performed in children and old age patients without giving anaesthesia.