title: Analysis of fine-needle aspiration cytology of the salivary gland.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: I-Shiow
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: Ping-Fung
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Ming-Hsiang
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Min-Se
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ya-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tsu-Yao
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Jenq-Yuh
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Sow-Hsong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D006801:Humans; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology*