Diagnostic Role of FNAC in Evaluation of Head and Neck Lesions

Abstract

Background: Head and neck lesions encompass a multitude of congenital, inflammatory or neoplastic lesions including several anatomic sites and originating in different tissues and organs. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, quick, feasible, cost effective and repeatable outpatient procedure with minimum risk of complications. Aim: 1. To evaluate the role of FNAC and its utility in the diagnosis of palpable head neck masses. 2. To study the spectrum of head neck lesions in rural population. Material and methods The study included 304 patients presented with palpable head and neck swellings from January 2015 to December 2015. Detailed clinical history of the patient was noted. Aspirations were done by using 10 ml syringe and 22/23 gauge needles. Smears were stained with Haematoxylin and eosin and Leishman stain. Cytomorphological diagnosis was given. Results: Out of 304 patients of head and neck lesions studied, lymph node (50.32%) was the predominant site aspirated with reactive lymphadenitis being the commonest lesion. Thyroid lesions constituted 44.07% followed by salivary gland (3.28%), and soft tissue 2.30% lesions. Conclusion: The head and neck lesions are very common conditions encountered, with most of them being on OPD basis. Our study found that FNAC is simple, quick, inexpensive and minimally invasive technique to diagnose different types of head and neck swellings. It could differentiate the infective process from neoplastic one and avoids unnecessary surgeries. Thus, FNAC can be recommended as a first line of investigation in the diagnosis of head and neck swellings.