Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of salivary gland tumours: Repeat aspiration provides further information in cases with an unclear initial cytological diagnosis

Abstract Introduction Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for salivary gland tumours requires expertise in interpretation. When a diagnosis is not clear (despite a cellular aspirate), published work is lacking on the value of repeating the test. Methods A retrospective study of 135 patients who h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery 2010-01, Vol.48 (1), p.26-29
Main Authors: Brennan, Peter A, Davies, Benedict, Poller, David, Mead, Zoe, Bayne, Duncan, Puxeddu, Roberto, Oeppen, Rachel S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenolymphoma - pathology
Adenoma - pathology
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy, Fine-Needle - methods
Biopsy, Fine-Needle - statistics & numerical data
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - secondary
Cytodiagnosis
Dentistry
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Fine needle aspiration cytology
Head and neck
Humans
Lymphoma - pathology
Medical sciences
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Parotid Neoplasms - pathology
Predictive Value of Tests
Retrospective Studies
Salivary gland
Salivary Gland Neoplasms - pathology
Salivary Gland Neoplasms - secondary
Sensitivity and Specificity
Submandibular Gland Neoplasms - pathology
Surgery
Tumour
Ultrasonography, Interventional
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Summary:Abstract Introduction Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for salivary gland tumours requires expertise in interpretation. When a diagnosis is not clear (despite a cellular aspirate), published work is lacking on the value of repeating the test. Methods A retrospective study of 135 patients who had FNAC followed by definitive excision for a suspected salivary gland tumour. Accuracy was compared among those requiring repeat FNAC on one more occasion because of a non-diagnostic initial cytology report. Results 33 patients (24% of study group) had repeat FNAC. A definite cytological diagnosis was subsequently made in 27/33 patients (82%). The sensitivity (84%) and specificity (93%) of repeat FNAC in distinguishing benign from malignant tumours was similar to initial FNAC (70% and 95%, respectively). Conclusions Repeat FNAC may provide a cytological diagnosis in cases where the initial diagnosis is not clear, although cytology should be used in conjunction with other investigations of salivary tumours, including image-guided biopsy examination where appropriate. Ideally salivary gland FNAC should be interpreted by a specialist pathologist.
ISSN:0266-4356
1532-1940
DOI:10.1016/j.bjoms.2008.12.014