BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspirative biopsy (FNAB) is an easy and reliable diagnotic method for head and neck tumors. However, its indication in salivary gland diseases is controversial. The knowledge of the histological tumor type allows a better therapeutic planning. On the other hand, for some authors, FNAB is a painful procedure that increases cost with little impaction treatment decision. METHODS: This is a retrospective study, including 247 cases of parotidectomies performed, from 1986 to 1998. We compared FNAB to histopathological diagnosis, in 211 patients in which comparison was possible. RESULTS: There were 57.8% female patients. Eigthy five percent were benign tumors, most of them pleomorfic adenoma. FNAB made a correct distinction between benign and malignant tumors in 165 cases, offering an exact histological diagnosis in 77.6%. CONCLUSIONS: FNAB is a reliable, sensitive and specific diagnostic method. Based in to our experience, we recommend its use.
Fine needle aspirative biopsy; Parotid; Salivary gland
