[Cyto-histological correlation in parotid gland tumors].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the study of parotid gland tumour malignancy in order to plan the most suitable treatment in each case.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: a retrospective study was made of 41 cases, in which we evaluated the correlation between the FNAB and the histopathological findings of the surgical piece of parotid gland tumours, from 2004 to 2008, as well as the epidemiological information of these patients.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of FNAB in the detection of malignancy was 71% and the specificity was of 91%, with a positive predictive value of 62.5% and a negative predictive value of 93.7%. The rate of false negatives was 29% whereas that of false positives was of 9%.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the FNAB in the study of parotid gland tumors is a useful and simple tool that guides us in the diagnosis and planning of treatment. Nevertheless, it is not exempt from limitations in its diagnostic accuracy.