Diagnostic difficulties in the interpretation of fine needle aspirates of salivary gland lesions: the problem revisited

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Abstract
Diagnostic difficulties in the interpretation of he needle aspirates of salivary gland lesions: the problem revisitedCases of salivary gland lesions (n=325), mainly neoplastic but including a small number of non‐neoplastic lesions, investigated by fine needle aspiration (FNA) and with histological correlation, are reviewed. The review identified a number of differential diagnostic problems which are discussed in some detail. One false‐positive and eight false‐negative diagnoses had been made resulting in a 99.5% specificity and a 85.5% sensitivity. If type‐specific diagnoses are made only when all defined diagnostic criteria are present and if any uncertainty is clearly conveyed to the clinician, FNA is a safe and accurate tool in the investigation of salivary gland lesions.