The Usefulness of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Management of Parotid Gland Masses at a Tertiary Academic Hospital

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an integral part of the preoperative work-up of parotid tumours. AIM: To determine the rate of concordance between FNAC and histology following parotidectomy. METHODS: A review of records of patients who had parotidectomy which was preceded FNAC was done. Data collected included patients’ demography, presenting symptoms and clinical signs; cytology and post-operative histology results. RESULTS: Seventy-seven records were found and 14 were excluded. Forty-five (71%: 45/63) of the tumours were benign, 21% (13/63) malignant and 8% (5/63) inflammatory lesions. Forty-one (91.1%: 41/45) of the benign tumours had concordance between FNAC and final histology. Seven (63.6%: 7/11) of FNAC diagnosed malignancies were confirmed on histology. CONCLUSION: Around 71% of parotid masses were benign. Painful masses are more likely to be malignant and FNAC is more reliable for the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma than rare benign and malignant tumours of the parotid gland.