Rajia Liaqat, Usman Javed Iqbal, Ijaz Bhatti, Muhammad Bilal.
FNAC: Epidemiology and Cytopathological Spectrum of Lesions Involving the Head and Neck Region at a Tertiary Care Hospital.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;13(2):427-30.

Aim: To analyze the cytopathological spectrum of lesions in head and neck area with respect to age groups, gender and specific sites. Methodology : This descriptive case series was conducted in Pathology Department of Pakistan Employees Social Securitty Hospital. Total 240 patients were taken. FNACs were performed in pathology department of tertiary care hospital by 22-23 gauge needle and 10 cc syringe. Data regarding age of patient, gender , site of swelling and nature of swelling (benign /malignant) was collected on proforma. Results : Out of total 240 smears, there were 192 benign lesions and 48 malign ant lesions. The most common were cervical lymph node (177), followed by 39 (16.2%) thyroid lesions and 24(10%) salivary gland lesions. Maximum palpable swellings were seen in age group of 21-40 years 92 (38.3%) cases. Pathological swellings were more predominant in females (146 cases ) as compared to males (94 cases ). Tuberculous lesions (Granulomatous lymphadenitis) were the most common of all cytological findings . Conclusion : This study concludes that FNAC is a very simple, easily accessible, cost effective and rapid initial diagnostic tool for evaluation of palpable head and neck lesions .

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