title: Value of fine-needle aspiration biopsy of salivary gland lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess the utility of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the diagnosis and treatment planning of the lesions of the salivary gland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight hundred seventy-nine aspiration biopsies of the lesion of the salivary gland over a 10-year period, from 1997 to 2006, were reviewed with special reference to its value in the clinical treatment of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cytologic as well as histologic diagnoses of 382 patients were available. In these diagnoses, the sensitivity of malignancy was 83% and specificity was 99%. The positive predictive value was 98%, and the negative predictive value was 97%. The overall accuracy was 93%. The correct subtyping of the benign lesions was 97%, and the exact type-specific concordance of the malignant lesions was 71%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considerable benefit to the patient may result from the cautious use of FNAB of lesions of the salivary gland. The close co-operation between pathologist and surgeon can improve individual treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Rikke Kølby
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bjørndal
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Godballe
authors.forename: Annelise
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krogdahl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity