Value of fine needle aspiration in cytological diagnosis of salivary gland masses

Introduction: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is one of important diagnostic procedures in evaluation of masses of salivary glands which is noteworthy due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This study aimed at comparing the results of FNA in masses of salivary glands with results of post-excisional histological examinations. Materials and Methods: In an analytic-descriptive setting, 51 patients with masses of salivary glands were recruited during a 30-months period (April 2005- September 2007) in ear, nose and throat and pathology wards of Tabriz Imam Khomeini Hospital (Iran). Firstly, all the patients evaluated with FNA and then, post-excisional histopathological studies were carried out, considering as the final diagnosis. Results: Fifty one patients, 30 females and 21 males with the mean age of 32.87±16.41 (17-80) years were enrolled. Forty six masses located in parotid gland, 4 masses in submandibular gland and a mass in sublingual gland. Results of FNA were consistent with definite diagnosis in 42 (82.4%) cases. This consistency was 85.2% and 60% for benign and malignant masses, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of FNA for diagnosis and discrimination of benign masses from malignant ones were 85.4, 30, 83.3, 33.3 and 74.5 percent, respectively. Conclusion: There is a high consistency between the results of FNA and final histopathological diagnosis in masses of salivary glands. Sensitivity of this procedure is high for diagnosis and discrimination of benign masses from malignant ones and the related specificity is low.