Clinical Values of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Salivary Gland Diseases / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diversity of opinion regarding the impact of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) on clinical decision-making has persisted, mostly because of its high false-negative rate and lower sensitivity in salivary gland diseases when compared to other head and neck tumors. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the utility of FNAB in the diagnosis of salivary gland pathologies and to assess its capacity to provide an accurate medical and surgical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1989 through January 2000, FNABs were carried out on 50 patients with salivary gland diseases. Among them, 34 patients were confirmed histologically after surgery and others clinically. RESULTS: Regarding the capacity of FNAB to discriminate between neoplastic (malignant and benign) and non-neoplastic lesions, FNAB correctly diagnosed 87% (41/47) of lesions. The values for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of differentiation for neoplastic lesions were 17%, 95% and 87%, respectively. FNAB's diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity to Warthin's tumor was higher than to those of pleomorphic adenoma. CONCLUSION: Fine needle aspiration biopsy of salivary gland diseases is a helpful adjunctive test for diagnosis and treatment planning.