Cytopathological study of salivary gland lesions by Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC): A study at tertiary care hospital in Gujarat
Dr. Riya Chetankumar Nayak, Dr. Biren Jitendra Parikh, Dr. Khushi Biren Parikh, Dr. Keyurkumar Bharatbhai Patel, Dr. Swati Biren Parikh and Dr. Manali Ravikumar Jhagadiawala
Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of salivary gland lesions is an inexpensive, minimally invasive, easier to perform and outpatient diagnostic procedure helpful to clinicians for earlier diagnosis and treatment because of rapid turnaround time.
Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the spectrum of salivary gland lesions diagnosed by FNAC in a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat.
Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out over a period of one year from January 2023 to January 2024 at Narendra Modi Medical College & Sheth L.G. General Hospital, Ahmedabad. In the present study, 58 patients with suspected salivary gland lesions who underwent FNAC were included. FNAC was performed using a 22-24 gauge needle and 10 ml plastic syringe without local anaesthesia. Air dried and 95% ethanol fixed smears were stained using Giemsa stain and Papanicolaou stain / Hematoxyline & Eosin (H & E), respectively. The slides along with details of the patient were studied and findings were recorded.
Results: A total of 58 cases of salivary gland lesions were studied who underwent FNAC over a period of one year. The age of the patients ranged from 8 to 62 years with the peak age group of 21-30 years, 31-40 years and 51-60 years for non-neoplastic lesions, benign tumours and malignant tumours respectively. The male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Parotid gland involvement was most commonly noted. Benign salivary gland lesions contributed to the majority of cases (48.27%). Chronic sialadenitis was the most common diagnosis among non-neoplastic lesions (57.14%, N=12). Among total neoplastic salivary gland lesions, Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common neoplastic benign tumour (N=23, 71.87%). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (N=32, 12.5%) was the only malignant neoplastic lesion noted among total neoplastic salivary gland lesions.
Conclusion: FNAC of salivary gland lesions is advantageous for both patients and clinicians because of rapid diagnosis, cost effectiveness and reasonable accuracy. It provides clarity for the management and prevents unnecessary surgery in cases of non-neoplastic lesions. Identification of malignant lesion helps the surgeon in determining the type and extent of operative procedure.
