The value of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of parotid gland neoplasms

Background: In many parts of Germany fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is still not part of the routine preoperative diagnostic evaluation of salivary gland neoplasms. Most opponents consider the study unnecessary and recommend that all salivary gland neoplasms should be excised. Objective: Because of this an evaluated the ability of FNAB to provide an accurate diagnosis of parotid gland neoplasms. Patients and method: Between January 1992 and October 1995, 336 patients referred for operative therapy of salivary gland neoplasms underwent retrospective analysis of preoperative FNAB compared with the excised tumor histology. Results: Results showed that the FNAB had a sensitivity of 93.1%,a specifity of 99.2%,a positive predictive value of 93.1%, a negative predictive value of 99.2% and an accuracy of 98.6%. Complications were observed in less than 1%. Discussion: Our findings demonstrated that the FNAB is a safe diagnostic tool that has a reliable sensitivity and high specificity for the assessment of salivary gland pathology. Since many malignant salivary gland neoplasms present with a virtual lack of symptoms indicating actual malignancy we believe that there is need for FNAB in routine preoperative diagnostic testing.