STUDY OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF LYMPHADENOPATHIES OF HEAD & NECK REGION

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a safe, faster, costeffective and accurate diagnostic procedure that investigates superficial lumps. It is also a useful technique in diagnosing etiology of lymphadenitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted to identify utility of FNAC to study the pattern of pathological conditions detected in lymph nodal swellings of head and neck region among 50 patients belonging to all age groups and both sexes reporting at a tertiary care hospital in rural setup. RESULTS: The cytological finding were correlated with age and sex distribution of the lesions, and cytological diagnosis revealed that tuberculous lymphadenitis was the most common lesion (50%), followed by reactive lymphadenitis (28%) & suppurative lymphadenitis (12%). Histopathological correlation of FNAC lesions of 8 cases was reported. CONCLUSION: The study confirms that FNAC is an accurate, cost effective, and rapid investigative procedure to diagnose lymph nodal swellings of head and neck region with minimal trauma and low complication rate.