Uses and limitations of fine needles aspiration cytology in the diagnostic work-up of patients with superficial lymphadenopathy.

Lymph node fine needle aspirations in 93 patients were studied to ascertain the usefulness of FNA cytology in determining the therapeutic approach. Cytologic results were compared with histologic diagnoses in 35 cases that underwent both aspiration and excisional biopsy. The cases with histological diagnoses included 17 (28.3%) of the 60 cytologically benign cases, 6 (75.0%) of the 8 cytologically suspicious cases, 10 (55.5%) of the 18 cytologically malignant cases and 2 (28.6%) of the 7 cytologically unsatisfactory cases. FNA in the present series showed a sensitivity of 90.0 per cent and specificity of 82.3 percent. It is concluded from this data that FNA can be an accurate, inexpensive and quick method of initial diagnosis in superficial lymphadenopathy.