title: Aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of head and neck masses: the early Christchurch experience.
abstract: Fine needle aspiration cytology has been performed on patients presenting with head and neck masses in Christchurch since mid-1985. The results of an initial 120 aspirations were reviewed. Histology was available to compare with the cytology result in 58% of cases. Clinical review was used to assess the accuracy of the cytology result in the remaining cases. The majority of the masses aspirated were of benign origin (72%). The cytological diagnosis was accurate in 79% of cases. Of the remaining aspirates, 13% were inaccurate and 8% nondiagnostic. The sensitivity for malignant lesions was 100%, with 86% specificity (for benign lesions). Particular diagnostic difficulty was found in the differentiation between some salivary gland tumours, and the assessment of aspirates from neck masses after combined therapy (radiotherapy and surgery). Fine needle aspiration cytology is of considerable value in the management of head and neck masses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Christchurch Hospital.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hamer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged