Accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in head and neck masses

In ENT clinical practice patients with neck swelling is a common presentation. To know their exact nature a simple, sensitive and diagnostic tool is required to prevent unnecessary costlier investigation and corresponding treatment. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a very safe, sensitive and diagnostic tool. This study was done to know the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the FNAC in head and neck masses. Present prospective study was done in 179 patients of head and neck masses which were subjected to FNAC and their results were later correlated with histopathological examination report (HPR) wherever available. Out of 179 FNAC, HPR available only in 152 cases. In present study 104 cases (58.10 %) of lymph node, 35 cases (19.55 %) of thyroid gland, 17 cases (9.49 %) of salivary gland, 12 cases (6.70 %) of soft tissue and 11 cases (6.14 %) of miscellaneous swellings were present. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of present study were 81.8, 95.0, 81.8 and 95.0 % respectively. The accuracy was 92.10 %.