title: Fine needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of head and neck masses.
abstract: One hundred eighty-two fine needle aspirations (FNAs) of head and neck masses performed between the years 1981 and 1987 were studied retrospectively. Seventeen FNAs were unsatisfactory. Of the remaining 165, 148 (90%) were followed up with either surgery or clinical follow-up of at least 12 months' duration. Seventy-one of these aspirates were malignant. Fifty-six cases of metastatic carcinoma and 13 cases of lymphoma were diagnosed. The positive predictive value for metastatic carcinoma and lymphoma was 100%, and the sensitivities were 92% and 100%, respectively. For benign salivary gland lesions, the positive predictive value was 94%, whereas for malignant lesions it was 100%. One case of carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma was missed by FNA. No complications were associated with FNA. We conclude that FNA is a safe and accurate technique, well suited to the in-office evaluation of neck masses of differing causes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: MacFarlane
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies