Advances in the use of fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of palpable lesions of the head and neck
Lampe, H.B.; Cramer, H.M.
Journal of Otolaryngology 20(2): 108-116
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0381-6605 PMID: 1710284 Document Number: 371088
Our experience in performing fine-needle aspiration for the investigation of palpable lesions of the head and neck region is reviewed. Three hundred cases were performed over a period of approximately two years. In most circumstances, a diagnosis could be rendered simply on the basis of routine cytomorphologic interpretation. In some situations, it was necessary to employ ancillary techniques such as immunoperoxidase staining, electron microscopy, and flow cytometry to confirm the morphologic diagnosis. Several cases illustrating the clinical utility of the technique are presented in detail. Fine-needle aspiration is a relatively atraumatic, well-tolerated procedure which can be readily performed in the usual outpatient setting. This technique is an excellent first-line method for investigating the nature of palpable lesions in the head and neck region.