UNCOMMON TUMORS OF THE SALIVARY-GLAND IN FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSIES - A SURGEONS PERSPECTIVE

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utilization of fine needle aspiration (FNA ) biopsy in guiding the surgeon in the management of patients with par otid masses and to study the cytohistologic correlations of rare parot id tumors. STUDY DESIGN: FNA biopsies and parotidectomies performed by a head-and-neck surgeon over an approximate three-year period were an alyzed. Cytologic features of rare salivary gland tumors were also stu died and correlated with their histology. RESULTS: In an acinic cell c arcinoma in a 15-year-old female whose smears were stained with Diff-Q uik, novel negative images of crystals were found intracytoplasmically and extracellularly, corresponding to the crystallized, membrane-boun d, exocrine, secretory substance ultrastructurally. A truly malignant mixed tumor from a 73-year-old female showed capsular invasion in the primary site that later metastasized to tile lung with both epithelial and mesenchymal components. The firmer cells did not exhibit nuclear atypia except for fine cytoplasmic vacuoles in the Diff-Quik-stained s mears. Basal cell adenoma, membranous (dermal analogue) type, from an 87-year-old female had an interesting geographic pattern on smears. CO NCLUSION: Within three years, a total of 70 FNAs were performed. Of th ose cases, 46 had surgery. Preoperative FNAs of the salivary gland les ions were utilized by the surgeon in guiding treatment options for lar ge, fixed masses as well as masses < 1 cm, in elderly and acquired imm unodeficiency syndrome patients.