Study of Pathological Spectrum of Neck Lesions with Cytohistopathological Correlation

Abstract

Introduction: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is quick, simple, inexpensive and minimally invasive technique used to diagnose different types of lesions located in neck. Palpable lesions in neck region can arise from various structures like, lymph node, thyroid, salivary gland, soft tissues, and blood vessels. Aim: To study the spectrum of pathological lesions in neck masses diagnosed on FNAC and to evaluate its accuracy by correlating cytological findings with histopathological diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective as well as prospective study was conducted from September 2012 to August 2015. Cytological diagnosis was made and correlated with histopathological diagnosis. Data analysis was done by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 19. The data were expressed as frequency and percentage. Results: Out of total 678 Fine needle procedures, (89%) were inflammatory, (5.4%) were malignant and (2.9%) were benign. (2.5%) were inconclusive. Out of total 400 Lymph node lesions, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia/nonspecific lymphadenitis, was the commonest, (50.7%). In all 198 cases of thyroid lesions were diagnosed, in which incidence rate of colloid goitre was 74.2%. 40 cases of salivary gland lesions were found among which chronic sialadenitis was the commonest, 17 cases (70.8%). The sensitivity, specificity of FNAC of lymph nodes was 94.12%, 100% respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was 96%. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of FNAC of thyroid glands and salivary glands were all 100%. Conclusion: Neck swellings are a very common condition encountered. FNAC is a simple and effective method of assessing neck lumps. FNAC has high accuracy rate to differentiate infective conditions from neoplastic ones and avoids unnecessary surgeries. Thus FNAC can be a helpful investigation in the diagnosis of neck swellings.

Keywords

• fine needle aspiration cytology (fnac)
• goiter
• nonspecific lymphadenitis
• pleomorphic adenoma.