Analysis of fine-needle aspiration cytology of the salivary gland.
OBJECTIVE
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology has been widely accepted as a safe method for diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. This study investigated the accuracy of FNA cytology of salivary gland lesions by correlation between histology and cytology.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty-one archived salivary gland FNA specimens collected between January 1994 and December 2002 from 131 patients were correlated with histopathology findings. The major reasons for false-negative and false-positive results in cytologic diagnosis were determined.


RESULTS
Considering the results of histopathology as the diagnostic standard, the sensitivity of FNA cytology in diagnosing malignancy was 74% (17/23) after excluding two cases which had a cytodiagnosis of suspicion of malignancy. Excluding eight cases that had a cytodiagnosis of suspicion of malignancy, the diagnostic specificity was 99% (97/98). There were six false-negative and one false-positive cases.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that FNA cytology of the salivary gland is a useful technique for diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. Inadequate labeling of the aspiration sites and insufficient cellularity were the most important factors that resulted in incorrect cytologic interpretation.
Jan
I-Shiow
IS
Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chung
Ping-Fung
PF
Weng
Ming-Hsiang
MH
Huang
Min-Se
MS
Lee
Ya-Ting
YT
Cheng
Tsu-Yao
TY
Ko
Jenq-Yuh
JY
Kuo
Sow-Hsong
SH
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D006801:Humans; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology*