title: Preoperative cytology in the management of parotid neoplasms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the diagnostic role of preoperative cytology of parotid neoplasms. The method is particularly useful in the evaluation of the parotid diseases in which the same clinical features may be treated variously. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a simple and well-tolerated diagnostic tool, which provides accurate information for diagnosis and follow-up of the disease. The accuracy of the method partly depends on the operator skill.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a series of 452 subjects who underwent parotidectomy, preoperative cytological evaluation was available in 310 and compared with histological diagnosis in a retrospective review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The agreement between histotype determination using fine-needle aspiration biopsy and final histological diagnosis was 79%, specificity was 100%, sensitivity was 83%, and diagnostic accuracy was 97%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrated that, given the low complication rate, preoperative cytology is particularly useful in diagnosing parotid disease and in planning the surgical strategy and approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Turin, San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aversa
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ondolo
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bollito
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fadda
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conticello
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity