Fine-needle aspiration cytology in parotid masses: our experience in Canterbury, New Zealand.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the present study was to assess the value of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in parotid masses.


METHODS
A retrospective review was carried out of FNAC results in parotid masses and the findings compared to histology on subsequent parotidectomy.


RESULTS
One hundred parotid masses were investigated. Eighty-six had the cytological diagnosis confirmed by histology, 14 had a different diagnosis at histology. In two of these 14, a malignancy was found where a non-neoplastic condition had been detected. In the other 12, various non-malignant lesions were wrongly identified by FNAC. Squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest parotid malignancy in the present study.


CONCLUSIONS
Fine-needle aspiration cytology was found to be an effective diagnostic tool in the hands of experienced pathologists at Christchurch Hospital, NZ.
Riley
Neil
N
Otolaryngology Department, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand. nriley78@hotmail.com
Allison
Robert
R
Stevenson
Scott
S
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome