Aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of head and neck masses: the early Christchurch experience

Fine needle aspiration cytology has been performed on patients presenting with head and neck masses in Christchurch since mid-1985. The results of an initial 120 aspirations were reviewed. Histology was available to compare with the cytology result in 58% of cases. Clinical review was used to assess...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inNew Zealand medical journal Vol. 102; no. 881; p. 639
Main Authors Stevenson, D S, Allison, R S, Robertson, M S, Hamer, J W
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New Zealand 13.12.1989
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biopsy, Needle
Child
Child, Preschool
Cytodiagnosis
Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnosis
Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology
Humans
Middle Aged
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Fine needle aspiration cytology has been performed on patients presenting with head and neck masses in Christchurch since mid-1985. The results of an initial 120 aspirations were reviewed. Histology was available to compare with the cytology result in 58% of cases. Clinical review was used to assess the accuracy of the cytology result in the remaining cases. The majority of the masses aspirated were of benign origin (72%). The cytological diagnosis was accurate in 79% of cases. Of the remaining aspirates, 13% were inaccurate and 8% nondiagnostic. The sensitivity for malignant lesions was 100%, with 86% specificity (for benign lesions). Particular diagnostic difficulty was found in the differentiation between some salivary gland tumours, and the assessment of aspirates from neck masses after combined therapy (radiotherapy and surgery). Fine needle aspiration cytology is of considerable value in the management of head and neck masses.
ISSN:0028-8446