Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of salivary gland lesions with histopathological correlation in a district hospital of Jammu region

Abstract

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, rapid, cost effective and useful method for diagnostic evaluation of salivary gland lesions due to their superficial nature and easy accessibility. Aim: To study the cytomorphological patterns of the salivary gland lesions and to perform histopathological correlation in suspicious cases in Government District Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, India. Material and Methods: In the present study 74 cases were included. FNAC was performed using 22 gauge needle and 10 ml plastic syringe with a detachable syringe holder (Franzen Handle). In each case, three alcohol fixed smears were prepared ,first smear was stained with Papanicolaou stain, second with Giemsa stain and third one was kept unstained for any further required stain. Cytohistological correlation was made in 47 cases only. Results: Parotid gland was the most commonly involved salivary gland. Maximum cases were seen among age group of 21 to 30 years. Most common non neoplastic lesion was chronic sialadenitis while pleomorphic adenoma was commonest benign lesion and adenoid cystic carcinoma was more frequent malignant lesion. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of FNAC was 66.6%, 95.8% and 93% in case of neoplastic lesions and 100% in non neoplastic lesions. Conclusion: The high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of FNAC makes it a useful and reliable screening and diagnostic procedure in case of salivary gland lesions especially in District Hospitals with limited infrastructure. Key words: Diagnostic accuracy, FNAC, Salivary gland, Salivary gland neoplasms, Sensitivity.