Diagnostic Accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Work Up of Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is an inexpensive quick and simple method that is used to sample superficial cervical lymph nodes. FNAC is important in the early diagnosis of the cervical lymphadenopathy, and is also helpful in directing the appropriate investigations. Objective: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy of Fine needle aspiration cytology in the workup of cervical lymphadenopathy.Material and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study conducted at the Pathology and ENT Department, Gajju khan Medical College Swabi and Ayub Medical College Abbottabad from January 2015 to December 2015. A total of 100 patients of cervical lymphadenopathy fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. FNAC was performed and the diagnosis was made which was later on compared with histopathological diagnosis. The diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy was calculatedResults: A total of 100 patients were included with age ranging from 1 to 64 years with a mean age of 35.2 years with majority of patients from 3rd to 6th decade. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of FNAC in cervical lymphadenopathy were 87.5%, 98.6%, 95.4% and 96.1% respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 96% (96/100) while the overall discordance score was 4% (4/100) Conclusion: FNAC provides as reliable result as histopathology and is cost effective and less traumatic. Key Words: FNAC, cervical lymphadenopathy, Sensitivity, accuracy