Cytopathological Evaluation of Paediatric Non-Thyroidal Neck Swelling–Experience in a Tertiary Care Children Hospital

Background and Objective: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is well accepted as a useful diagnostic technique in the management of adult patients with head and neck lumps. However, until recently, few reports have been obtained regarding the role of FNAC in non-thyroidal neck masses in children. Therefore, the objective of our study was to determine the diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of pediatric non-thyroidal neck masses. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Pathology of Bangladesh Shishu (Children) Hospital & Institute January 2019 to December 2021. Hundred patients with non-thyroidal neck masses fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Fine needle aspirations were performed, smears prepared and stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin stain. Results: The most common non-neoplastic neck swelling seen in children were an enlarged lymph node due to inflammation 38(42.2%), i.e., reactive lymphadenitis. Others were TB lymphadenitis 25 (27.8%), non-TB granulomatous lymphadenitis 2(2.22%), chronic sialadenitis 2(2.22%), branchial cyst 4(4.44%) and epidermal cyst 3(3.33%) cases. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of FNAC in our cases are 93.06%, 72.22%, 93.06% and 72.22%. Conclusion: FNA is an important diagnostic tool in the management of childhood neck lesion with the clinical presentation. The procedure decreases the requirement for more invasive and costly procedures like surgical biopsy.