Khurshid Anwar, Johar Iqbal, Raza Mohammad, Muneeb Khan, Bakht Zada.
Differentiating Malignant from Benign Lesions- The Value of Preoperative Cytology in the Management of Parotid Neoplasms.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;8(1):70-4.

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with respect to determination of malignancy in tumours of the parotid glands. Place and Duration of the Study: This prospective study was conducted at the department of ENT, PGMI/HMC, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar and a Department related consultant’s private clinic located at Peshawar from January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011. Study Design: Analytical Study Materials and Methods: The study included all patients with a palpable mass in relation to the parotid glands. All the patients underwent needle aspiration of the parotid gland followed by excision biopsy. A comparison of FNAC and biopsy results was made. Results: Biopsy examination for comparison was available in all the 57 cases. The FNAC findings in this series were: Benign 43, Malignant 11 and Suspicious ‘Malignant Neoplasms’ 3. The biopsy findings were: Benign 42 and Malignant 15. The diagnostic value of FNAC was; Sensitivity 86.67%, Specificity 97.62%, Positive Predictive Value 92.86%, Negative Predictive Value 95.35%and Diagnostic Accuracy 94.74%. Conclusion: FNAC is a reliable technique and is a useful tool for identifying the nature of parotid tumours. However, in view of the occurrence of false negative cases, a cautious approach is recommended while planning management on its basis. The findings of FNAC should be read in conjunction with clinical and imaging studies and in doubtful cases the true nature of the lesion should be confirmed by biopsy examination.

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