Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Pediatric Age Group with Special Reference to Pediatric Tumors: A Retrospective Study Evaluating Its Diagnostic Role and Efficacy

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a well-established diagnostic technique in adult mass lesions but a comparatively new technique to pediatric lesions. AIM: The current study aims to evaluate the role of FNAC in pediatric age with special reference to pediatric tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of FNAC in children ≤ 18 years of age presenting with mass lesions was studied for 5 years. Distribution of cases in different age groups, sex, and site of lesion was analyzed. Pediatric lesions were categorized into non-neoplastic, benign, and malignant conditions. Diagnostic efficacy was assessed by comparing subsequent histopathological examination wherever possible. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Epi info 07 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) 07) and values were presented as simple percentages. RESULTS: FNAC was performed on 2903 cases in 5 years out of which 327 cases 11.3% (327/2903) were ≤ 18 years of age. Out of 327 cases, 180 cases 55% (180/327) were between 11 and 18 years. Male to female ratio was 1.15:1. The commonest site for FNAC was cervical lymph node swelling 48.3% (158/327). Reactive lymphadenitis was the commonest diagnosis among all mass lesions 38.8% (103/265), whereas Fibroadenoma 20.8% (10/49) was commonest diagnosis among benign lesions and among malignant lesions there were two cases 15.3% (2/13) each of Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphoma and one case of chondrosarcoma. The positive predictive value of diagnosing malignant lesions on FNAC was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The ease of FNAC along with its high diagnostic accuracy makes it a desirable method for diagnosing lesions in children.