FNAC of neoplastic lesions of head and neck

Abstract

Background: Lesions of the head and neck region are routinely encountered by clinicians, in patients across all age groups and diagnoses range from reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes to malignancies 1 . Among the most frequently sampled palpable head and neck lesions are lymph nodes, thyroid and major salivary glands along with other rarely encountered lesions like subcutaneous tissue swellings, lumps of skin appendages and oral cavity lesions 2 . FNAC, today is one of the most important diagnostic modalities used universally in the initial assessment of patients presenting with palpable head and neck region masses. It is an inexpensive, safe, outdoor procedure, with rapid reporting and requires minimal equipment