Diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology in parotid tumors.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of parotid gland tumors. METHODS We reviewed files of all patients who underwent parotidectomy for various parotid pathologies at Aga Khan University Hospital. Study design included a comparison between results of preoperative FNAC with final histopathological diagnosis. Galen & Ganbino method was used to calculate sensitivity and specificity of FNAC. RESULTS Among 50 patients reviewed, there was one false positive and 3 false negative results reported on FNAC. This gives a sensitivity of FNAC for reporting malignancy to be 74% and specificity to rule out malignancy 97%. No significant complications were reported while performing the procedure. CONCLUSION FNAC is a safe and effective modality in diagnosis and treatment planning of patients with parotid tumors.