Fine-needle aspiration cytology of salivary gland lesions: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology on salivary gland lesions.

Materials and methods: A review of the literature was carried out using PubMed, SCIRUS, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). The present study included only data correlating cytological and histological diagnoses.

Results: Of the patients, 484 received a histological diagnosis of malignant tumor; cytological diagnosis was concordant in 387 (79.95%), discordant in 97 (20.04%). A total of 1,275 patients received a histological diagnosis of benign tumor; cytological diagnosis was concordant in 1,219 (95.608%) and discordant in 56 (4.39%). In all, 154 patients received a histological diagnosis of non-neoplastic lesion; cytological diagnosis was concordant in 145 (94.156%) and discordant in 9 (5.84%).

Conclusion: FNA is a safe diagnostic tool that has a reliable sensitivity and specificity for the assessment of salivary gland pathology. FNA cytology may be useful in routine preoperative diagnostic testing.