ACCURACY OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF NECK MASSES

OBJECTIVE: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is being used as a diagnostic modality for neck masses. This study is done to evaluate the role of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the diagnosis of neck masses. A correlation was done between cytology and histopathology, to assess the accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the diagnosis of neck masses. SETTING: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Vinayaka Mission's Medical College and Hospital, Karaikal, Pondicherry (U.T). DESIGN: A Prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for this study was collected from patients attending OPD and admitted in Vinayaka Mission's Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, attached to Vinayaka Mission's Medical College, Karaikal. 100 patients presenting with neck masses to our institution between September 2011 and August 2013 were included in the study. After a detailed clinical examination, relevant investigations and a valid informed consent, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of the neck swelling was performed, followed by biopsy and histopathological examination of the neck swelling. The result of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology was correlated with result of Histopathological examination of neck swelling. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The result of this study was calculated by using the method of Galen and Gambino for substantiating the correlation. RESULTS: The histopathological correlation of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in our study was 92%. The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in our study were 87.5%, 100% and 98% respectively. CONCLUSION: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is an excellent first line method for investigating patients presenting with neck masses. Since the masses of the neck are easily accessible, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is a diagnostic procedure which suits well for such a situation.