The utility of parotid gland and level I and II neck fine-needle aspiration.

Abstract

Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) commonly is used in the diagnostic workup of parotid gland and level I and II neck lesions, the effect of an FNA service on patient care has not been definitively established. Follow-up was obtained in 158 patients who underwent FNA. The value of FNA was analyzed by determining the proportions of cases in which management was altered by the information obtained. The percentage of lesions classified by FNA as benign, nonneoplastic; benign, neoplastic; atypical or suspicious; malignant; and insufficient was 42%, 28%, 16%, 41%, and 7%, respectively. By using FNA, an operation was avoided in 70% and 79% of patients with a nonneoplastic lesion and a metastasis, respectively. Although definitive subclassification of some lesion types was poor, FNA was useful in patient triage.