FNAC of neoplastic lesions of head and neck

Abstract

Background: Lesions of the head and neck region are routinely encountered by clinicians, in patients across all age groups and diagnoses range from reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes to malignancies1. Among the most frequently sampled palpable head and neck lesions are lymph nodes, thyroid and major salivary glands along with other rarely encountered lesions like subcutaneous tissue swellings, lumps of skin appendages and oral cavity lesions2. FNAC, today is one of the most important diagnostic modalities used universally in the initial assessment of patients presenting with palpable head and neck region masses. It is an inexpensive, safe, outdoor procedure, with rapid reporting and requires minimal equipment.Aims and Objectives1.To diagnose neoplastic lesions of head and neck using FNAC.2.To find out the incidence rate of different head and Neck lesions. 3.To classify this lesions under different categories. e. g benign, malignant etc.4.To study various factors related to the lesions. E.g. age, sex, etc.Materials and Method: This study will be a retrospective observational study of all patientss coming to Cytopathology department, B. J. Medical College, Civil Hospital Ahmedabad from January 2022 to August 2022. The data was retrieved from Laboratory Information System. Fine needle aspiration diagnosis was correlated with detailed clinical findings and investigations. Results: Out of 88 fine needle aspiration procedures 38.6% (34 cases) were of lymph node, 15.9% (14 cases) were of thyroid, 22.7% (20 cases) from salivary gland, 22.7% (20 cases) from skin and soft tissue swellings. Out of total 88 lesions, 31 cases (35.2%) benign and 57 cases (64.7%) were malignant.Conclusion: FNAC is simple, quick, inexpensive and minimally invasive first line investigation for differential diagnosis of head and neck masses and also serves as a guide to the appropriate therapeutic management of the patient whether to locally excise a benign tumor or plan radical surgery.