DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY IN HEAD AND NECK SWELLINGS: A 1,745-CASE EXPERIENCE FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE
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Keywords
Fine needle aspiration cytology, head and neck swellings, lymphadenopathy, thyroid lesions, salivary gland lesions
Abstract
Background: Head and neck swellings encompass a diverse spectrum of inflammatory, benign, and malignant lesions. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a rapid, minimally invasive diagnostic tool for the evaluation. Methods: A total of 1,745 patients with head and neck swellings underwent FNAC over two years. Smears were stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa and Papanicolaou stains; Ziehl-Neelsen and Periodic Acid-Schiff stains were used where indicated. Results: Lymph node swellings were the most common (46.82%), followed by thyroid (22.64%), miscellaneous (21.37%), and salivary gland (9.17%) lesions. Non-neoplastic cases constituted 76.51%, while benign and malignant neoplasms accounted for 12.09% and 11.40%, respectively. The 21–30 years age group showed the highest prevalence (19.7%), with a male predominance (M: F 1.12:1). Reactive lymphadenitis (42.36%) was the commonest lymph node diagnosis; colloid goiter (39.49%) and lymphocytic thyroiditis (25.06%) led among thyroid lesions. Acute sialadenitis (33.75%) and pleomorphic adenoma (33.12%) were the predominant salivary gland findings. Conclusion: FNAC is an effective first-line modality for head and neck swellings, accurately distinguishing non-neoplastic from neoplastic lesions and guiding clinical management across all age groups.
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DR Nancy Bhagat
Senior Resident, Department of Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Sangrur, Punjab
Dr Eishita Gupta
Senior Resident, Department of Pathology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMVDIME), Kakryal, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir
Dr Ayeshah
Senior Resident, Department of Pathology, Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir
