Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Salivary Gland Tumors:Comparison with Histologic Findings

We reviewed twenty fine needle aspiration biopsies of salivary gland lesions performed between April 1992 and March 1993, which were confirmed by surgical excision. Sixteen cases were benign lesions:10 pleomorphic adenomas, 3 Warthin's tumors, 1 monomorphic adenoma, 1 benign lymphoepithelial lesion and 1 lymphoepithelial cyst. Malignant lesions were four cases:3 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, and 1 malignant mixed tumor. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytologic findings were compaired with pathologic diagnosis of the surgically resected specimen in all cases. Overall accuracy was 80%. False negativity and positivity were 5% (1 case) and 0%, respectively. Fine needle aspiration biopsy for diagnosis of salivary gland lesion appears to be a simple, safe, and cost saving diagnistic method with relatively high accuracy.We reviewed twenty fine needle aspiration biopsies of salivary gland lesions performed between April 1992 and March 1993, which were confirmed by surgical excision. Sixteen cases were benign lesions:10 pleomorphic adenomas, 3 Warthin's tumors, 1 monomorphic adenoma, 1 benign lymphoepithelial lesion and 1 lymphoepithelial cyst. Malignant lesions were four cases:3 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, and 1 malignant mixed tumor. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytologic findings were compaired with pathologic diagnosis of the surgically resected specimen in all cases. Overall accuracy was 80%. False negativity and positivity were 5% (1 case) and 0%, respectively. Fine needle aspiration biopsy for diagnosis of salivary gland lesion appears to be a simple, safe, and cost saving diagnistic method with relatively high accuracy