Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology: Adoption and outcomes in a community setting.

Abstract

Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology (MSRSGC) was introduced to standardize reporting of salivary gland cytopathology. A retrospective review of ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy of salivary gland lesions was performed between January 2018 and May 2021 at a community otolaryngology practice. Diagnostic accuracy and rate of diagnostic sialoadenectomy were calculated. A total of 203 FNAs (fine needle aspiration) were performed in 184 patients. MSRSGC was utilized in 87/203 cytopathology reports, with a diagnostic accuracy of 84%. Descriptive reporting was used in 115 FNAs, with a diagnostic accuracy of 89% (p = 0.68). Sialoadenectomy rate was 41% for MSRSGC compared to 36% in descriptive cytopathology (p = 0.48). MSRSGC is as accurate as descriptive cytopathology and the rate of diagnostic sialoadenectomy between both groups is similar in our community. The MSRSGC brings uniformity and standardization to the FNA reporting process.