Application of Milan system for reporting of salivary gland pathology and risk stratification: An institutional...

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a sensitive technique for diagnosing salivary gland pathologies. Milan system of reporting salivary gland cytopathology (MSRSGC) is an evidence-based system of reporting which has been introduced to improve reporting and communication between cytopathologist and clinician by introducing standardized categories with specified treatment protocols.

The aim of the present study is to find the diagnostic accuracy and risk of malignancy (ROM) in various categories when MSRSGC is applied.

A single-institute-based 3-year retrospective study was done. All salivary gland lesions were reclassified according to MSRSGC. ROM, diagnostic specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of FNAC of salivary gland lesions were calculated.

A total of 133 cases were included in the study. Overall, the most common diagnosis was found to be pleomorphic adenoma comprising 61 (42.8%) of all cases. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most commonly diagnosed malignancy comprising of 6 (4.5%) of all lesions. Cases were further divided into Milan categories, namely nondiagnostic, nonneoplastic, atypia of undetermined significance, benign neoplasm, neoplasm of undetermined malignant potential, suspicious of malignancy and malignancy comprising 5 (3.7%), 29 (21.8%), 77 (57.8%), 4 (3%), 3 (2.2%), 1 (0.7%) and 14 (10.5%) cases, respectively, with ROM of 0, 14.28%, 33.33%, 5.71%, 66.66%, 100% and 80%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy to separate benign from malignant lesions were 80%, 89.80% and 87.50%, respectively.

FNAC of the salivary gland lesions is a safe and reliable diagnostic procedure. The Milan system of reporting is a risk stratification system which can improve the overall effectiveness of reporting and care of patients.