A Cytologic Study of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Salivary Gland Diseases

Kim, Mi Jin; Lee, Tae Suk

Abstract

Fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology is a widely recognized and useful technique which can provide diagnosis in lesions of the head and neck, enabling appropriate management plans for individual patient to be made. Fifty one fine needle aspirates from salivary gland masses were examined. Four aspirates(8%) were inadequate for examination. Of the remaning 47 samples, 42 cases(82%) were benign lesions which consist of 30 pleomorphic adenoma(58%), 7 inflammatory lesion(14%) 4 Warthin's tumor (8%) and 1 benign lesion(2%). Two cases(4%) were atypical lesions. Three case(6%) were malignant lesions consisting of 2 adenoid cystic carcinomas(4%) and 1 mucoepidermoid carcinoma(2%). The cytologic diagnoses were compared with the subsequent histologic diagnosis of surgical resected specimen in 24 cases. 19 cases of 21 aspirates from benign tumors were correctly diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology, with a specificity of 90%. All 3 aspriates from the 3 patients with malignant tumor were correctly diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology, with a sensitivity at 100%. Overall acurracy was 88%. Diagnostic error was encountered in adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and warthin's tumor. Correct histologic diagnosis was made in 86% of benign tumors(84% for pleomorphic adenoma and 100% for Warthin's tumor) and in 100% of malignant tumors.