Cross Sectional Study of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Neck Masses

Background and Objectives: This study is done to evaluate the role of FNAC in diagnosis of neck masses. A correlation was done between cytology and histopathology. To assess the usefulness of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the diagnosis of neck masses. Materials and Methods: Data for this study was collected from patients attending. OPD and admitted in tertiary hospital and research centre at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Department of Surgery. 50 patients presenting with neck masses to our institution between November 2014 to May 2016 were included in the study. A time bound cross sectional study design. After a detailed clinical examination, relevant investigations and a valid informed consent, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of the neck swelling was performed. Followed by biopsy and histopathological examination of the neck swelling. The result of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology was correlated with result of Histopathological examination of neck swelling. Results: Benign lesions constituted the predominant cause of neck swellings in our study. The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of Fine Needle Aspiration. Cytology in our study was 55.6%, 100% and 92% respectively. Conclusion: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is an excellent first line method for investigating patients presenting with neck masses. Since the masses of the neck are easily accessible, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is a diagnostic procedure, which suits well for such a situation.