Cytological and Histomorphological Correlation of Salivary Gland Lesions: An Experience At Rural Tertiary Healthcare Hospital

Background: Salivary gland tumours account for 3-10% of all the head and neck neoplasm. FNAC is being increasingly used in the diagnosis of salivary gland tumours. The objective of this study was to evaluate the age, sex and site distribution and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in various salivary gland lesions in correlation with their histopathology, which helps in appropriate management of the patient. Methods: The present study was done at the pathology department, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry. FNAC was done using 22 gauge needle and 10 ml syringe and smears were stained with H&E and Giemsa stains. Histopathology was assessed on routine H&E stained paraffin sections .Cyto-histo correlation was done and overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results: The study was conducted on 122 patients having salivary gland lesions .The age ranged from 24-80 years. Benign tumours were common in 3rd decade, whereas malignant tumours in 6th decade of life. There was female preponderance with male to female ratio of 1:1.03.Parotid glands were commonly involved in 74(78.72%).Out of 94 neoplastic cases,78(82.97%)were benign and 14(14.89%) were malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest lesion observed accounted for 68.08%. Conclusion: The Overall sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were 80%, 94.74% and 91.66% respectively. FNAC of the salivary gland is safe, rapid ,accurate and reliable technique in the primary diagnosis of salivary gland lesions and useful in avoiding surgery (in inflammatory lesions) or limiting surgical procedures(in benign tumours).