The accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology for the diagnosis of non-thyroid neck masses

Abstract EN

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of neck masses.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was undertaken of 188 neck masses that had undergone FNAC, over a five-year period from 2010-2015, at Prince Rashid Bin Al-Hasan Hospital.

The FNAC reports were reviewed and compared to the final diagnosis.

The final diagnosis was determined either by the final histopathological diagnosis or the clinical outcome.

Results: 110 FNACs were included in the study.

The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNAC in distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic cervical masses (including salivary gland masses) were 90%, 86% and 94%, respectively.

The sensitivity of FNAC in distinguishing malignant from benign neck masses (including salivary gland masses) was 46% with a specificity of 98% and an overall accuracy of 85%.

In distinguishing malignant from benign salivary gland masses, the sensitivity of FNAC was 8% with a specificity of 98% and accuracy of 78%.

Regarding lymphoma, FNAC had sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 98% with a diagnostic accuracy of 96%.

The sensitivity of FNAC in detecting metastatic carcinoma to the neck was 83%, with a specificity of 100% Conclusion: Although FNAC seems to be an attractive investigation, it should be used cautiously in assessing salivary gland diseases, cystic lumps of the neck and lymphomas.