ROLE OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY IN PAROTID TUMOURS

Salivary gland tumors are relatively rare compared to other head and neck cancers.Parotid neoplasams are asymptomatic and account for 65% of salivary gland tumors.About 80% of parotid tumors are benign.Fine needle aspiration cytology is very useful diagnostic aid in parotid neoplasia.Fine needle aspiration cytology is helpful to diagnose benign and malignant tumors.If malignant tumor is established preoperatively, it helps to prepare patient and surgeon for possible deliberate sacrifice of facial nerve if indicated.This is a retrospective analysis of 20 cases of parotid tumors treated at our Hospital. All cases were subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology and operative specimens were sent for histopathological examination.The results of the study were compared with national and international studies.