Role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of parotid tumours

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of parotid tumours. Results: A retrospective review was conducted to examine the preoperative cytological and final histological results of patients who underwent parotidectomies at our institution. Methods: Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing malignant and benign tumours were 80%, 100%, and 98.5%, 87.5%, respectively, and 85.1% of benign tumours were accurately typed on fine-needle aspiration cytology compared with only 40% in the malignant group. Using the clinical parameters of associated facial nerve palsy or presence of cervical lymphadenopathy to indicate the presence of malignancy, the diagnostic yield was only 30%. Conclusion: Fine-needle aspiration cytology is useful in the preoperative assessment of parotid tumours as it is more reliable than clinical examination to diagnose malignant parotid tumours. Although it may not accurately type the malignant tumours, the diagnosis of malignant tumours preoperatively may allow for appropriate surgical planning by the surgeon.