Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the value of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and frozen section (FS) analysis in the assessment of parotid gland tumors.
Study Design
Chart review and cross-sectional analysis.
Subjects and Methods
FNAC and FS analysis of 110 parotid tumors, 68 malignancies and 42 benign tumors, were analyzed and compared with the final histopathologic diagnosis.
Results
The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of FNAC in detecting malignant tumors were 79 percent, 74 percent, and 88 percent, respectively. On FS analysis, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in detecting malignant tumors were 94 percent, 93 percent, and 95 percent, respectively. The histologic tumor type was correctly diagnosed by FNAC and FS in 27 of 42 (64%) and 39 of 42 (93%) benign tumors, respectively, and in 24 of 68 (35%) and 49 of 68 (72%) malignant neoplasms, respectively.
Conclusion
The current analysis showed a superiority of FS compared with FNAC regarding the diagnosis of malignancy and tumor typing. FNAC alone is not prone to determine the surgical management of parotid malignancies.
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