Pattern of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Head and Neck Swelling in Patients Attending a Tertiary Health Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Fine needle aspiration cytology is a simple, rapid, cost-effective method in diagnosis of head and neck swelling with minimal risk of complications. Head and neck swellings include a broad spectrum of diseases with different management for each. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a suitable and useful method for assessment of these swelling. This study was done with the objective to study the frequency and distribution of various head and neck lesions detected by fine needle aspiration cytology.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care center from February 1 to July 31, 2023 after obtaining ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: IRC-PA-191/2078-79). All the patients presenting with head and neck swelling during the study period were included in this study. Total sampling was done. Fine needle aspiration was done and cytological diagnosis was made. Descriptive analysis was done where frequency and percentage were calculated.

Results: Out of 112 cases included in the study, 43 (38.40%) were of lymph nodes, 36 (32.14%) of thyroid, 22 (19.64%) of skin and soft tissue and 11 (9.82%) of salivary glands. Among the lymph nodes cases, there were 11 (25.57%) metastases. In thyroid lesions, beingn lesions were seen in 24 (66.68%).

Conclusions: This study found that lymph nodes were the most common site for head and neck swellings, frequently involving metastatic lesions.