Diagnostic Efficacy of Fnac in Cervical Lymphadenopathy - A One Year Hospital Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Head and Neck region being rich in lymphatics, cervical lymphadenopathy is relatively common clinical observation. Cervical lymphadenopathy, often presents a diagnostic dilemma to the surgeon. It is imperative to establish a definitive diagnosis as early in the evaluation as possible in order to institute a meaningful treatment. The various avenues available for this are clinical evaluation, aspiration biopsy and open biopsy. The study will be carried out with the objective of assessing the diagnostic efficacy of FNAC, for arriving at early diagnosis. Method: Detailed history will be taken followed by physical examination in all the patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. Subsequently all the cases will be subjected to an aspiration biopsy and excision biopsy. Results: Tuberculosis was a predominant cause for cervical lymphadenopathy in this study and found to be more in lower socio-economic group. Sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of FNAC in our study respectively was 90%, 100% and 96.57%. Interpretation and Conclusion: FNAC is a simple and safe procedure, which can be employed on out patient basis with reasonably good results. Aspiration cytology can be done easily without subjecting the patient to general anaesthesia.