TO EVALUATE THE ROLE OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY IN THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT AND THE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS OF PALPABLE MASS LESIONS IN ANTERIOR TRIANGLE OF NECK WITH THE RESPECT TO THE SEX & SITE.

Abstract

(FNAC) is a simple, rapid and cost effective method to sample superficial masses found in the head and neck. It causes minimal trauma to the patient and involve virtually no risk of complications. Aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of anterior triangle neck lesions and evaluate the role of FNAC with the respect to the age, sex & site.

Result: Gender wise distribution of anterior triangle neck mass lesions In the present study, which comprised of 500 patients, 290 were males & 210 were females.

Organ wise distribution of cases of anterior triangle neck masses.  In the present study, out of 500 patients, maximum numbers of cases were from lymph nodes consisting of 344 cases, 123 were thyroid lesions, 33 were others from submandibular salivary gland, soft tissue & subcutaneous tissue of anterior triangle neck masses.

Distribution of miscellaneous lesions Amongst miscellaneous lesions of anterior triangle neck mass, lipoma was most common followed by epidermal inclusion cyst.

Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration cytology is a simple, rapid & cost effective method to diagnose different types of neck swellings. Lympha - denopathy is most familiar cause of anterior triangle neck mass. Tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common diagnosis followed by reactive hyperplasia of lymph node. It is also a diagnostic test for differentiating inflammatory from malignant lesions & it is helpful to avoid unnecessary surgeries & in general clinical management such as antibiotic treatment.

Keywords: FNAC, Anterior triangle neck masses, Tubercular lymphadenitis, Thyroid lesions.