The Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Aspiration Cytology in Diagnosing Head-and-neck Lesions: An Institutional Experience from Northeastern India

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Head-and-neck lesions are common and varied, ranging from inflammatory conditions to malignancies. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a crucial diagnostic technique, and ultrasound-guided FNAC (UG-FNAC) has become increasingly important for accurate diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of UG-FNAC for the management of head-and-neck lesions. Subjects and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to January 2023, involving 119 patients with head-and-neck lesions. UG-FNAC was performed, and clinical history, ultrasound findings, and histopathological correlation were recorded. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 26. Results: The study included 119 cases, predominantly in patients below 50 years of age. The most common aspirates were from lymph nodes (52.94%), followed by thyroid (22.68%) and salivary gland (16.8%) lesions. We found that the cytological and histological diagnoses were consistent in the majority of cases, with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of 85.71%, 100%, and 91.6%, respectively. Discussion: UG-FNAC has proven to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of head-and-neck lesions, allowing for accurate targeting of nonpalpable lesions and improved patient management. The cytological and histological correlation rates observed in this study are consistent with previous studies, indicating the reliability of the technique. Conclusion: UG-FNAC is a reliable and accurate diagnostic technique for head-and-neck lesions. It facilitates preoperative preparation, patient consent, and appropriate surgical treatment. The high diagnostic accuracy and minimal complications associated with this procedure make it an important tool in the management of superficial and deep-seated head-and-neck lesions.