Role of FNAC in the diagnosis of salivary gland swellings.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and efficacy of Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in various salivary gland swellings. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was performed at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital (KMCTH) from January 2004- December 2006.During this period a total of 978 FNAC's were done out of which 40 FNAC's were on salivary gland swellings. Correlation was done between cytological smear slides and biopsy slides. RESULTS In this series of FNAC, 16 cases (40%) were benign neoplasms, 5 cases (12.5%) malignant neoplasms, non-neoplastic cysts 3 cases (7.5%) and inflammatory lesions 16 cases (40%).Histopathology was available in 24 cases out of which 22 cases correlated with cytology. There were no false positive reports but false negative result was seen in 4 cases. Sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 100% respectively. CONCLUSION FNAC is useful in the diagnosis of salivary gland swellings especially in benign conditions with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 100%.