Diagnostic value of core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration in salivary gland lesions

Frozen Section Analysis in Submandibular Gland Tumors: Optimizing Intraoperative Decision-Making

Introduction: With around 25 different salivary gland tumor entities described by the World Health Organization, the correct preoperative identification of masses as benign or malignant remains a challenge. If preoperative needle biopsy is inconclusive, frozen section analysis is a possible alternative for accurate histological identification. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of frozen section performed for primary submandibular gland masses. Methods: In addition to acquiring epidemiological data from patients who underwent submandibular gland excision over a 20-year period, we analyzed the diagnostic effectiveness of frozen section performed for submandibular gland masses. We also examined the impact of frozen section on overall survival. Furthermore, we investigated whether there was an impact on the surgical revision rate for malignant submandibular gland masses that required additional neck dissection within the submandibular triangle. Results: Frozen section was performed for 54 submandibular gland tumors, with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 81.3%. Frozen section was conducted in 12 cases of primary salivary gland malignancies, of which 9 cases were identified correctly. In three cases, the frozen section results were inconclusive. We calculated a relative risk reduction of 27% for revision surgery by performing frozen section. There was no significant association between frozen section results and overall survival. Conclusions: Frozen section demonstrates a significant reduction in the need for revision surgery. With a specificity of 100%, frozen section is especially suited to identifying benign masses. It is a valid diagnostic tool when preoperative sampling is not possible or is inconclusive.

Ultrasound-guided wire localisation: a GPS for hidden head and neck tumours? A case series

Objectives

Ultrasound-guided wire (USGW) localisation for small non-palpable tumours before a revision head and neck surgery is an attractive pre-operative option to facilitate tumour identification and decrease potential complications. We describe five cases of pre-operative USGW localisation of non-palpable head and neck lesions to facilitate surgical localisation and resection.

Methods

All patients undergoing pre-operative USGW localisation for non-palpable tumours of the head and neck region at London Health and Sciences Center, London, Ontario, Canada, were included. All the USGW localisations were performed by the same interventional radiologist, and the surgeries were performed by fellowship trained head and neck surgeons.

Results

Five patients were included. All patients were undergoing revision surgery for recurrent or persistent disease. All successfully underwent a pre-operative USGW localisation of the non-palpable lesion before revision surgery. All lesions were localised intra-operatively with no peri-operative complications.

Conclusions

USGW localisation is a safe and effective pre-operative technique for the identification of small non-palpable head and neck tumours.

Assessment of Risk of Malignancy of Fine-needle Aspiration Cytology in Salivary Gland Lesions Using the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology Categorization: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the salivary gland is crucial in the identification of salivary gland lesions, but the variation in morphological pattern and the overlap of morphological traits can result in erroneous interpretation and affect treatment, making FNAC of the salivary gland problematic. The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) was created to address these problems.

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain whether the FNAC method using MSRSGC was reliable in predicting the risk of malignancy (ROM) in each category of salivary gland lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The databases PubMed-MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar were all searched using pertinent keywords, reference searches, and citation searches. A fixed effect model was used to determine the pooled proportion with a 95% confidence interval (CI). All statistical analyses were performed using Meta Disc and R version 4.0.2 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing).

RESULTS

After reviewing the submissions' abstracts and titles, 58 documents that satisfied the necessary inclusion and exclusion criteria were ultimately selected. A total of 19,652 samples from 19,408 individuals was analyzed, out of which 9,958 samples were available for histopathological follow-up. The pooled ROM for category I was 10%, category II was 5%, category III was 28%, category IV A was 2%, Category IV B was 34%, category V was 91%, and category VI was 99%.

CONCLUSION

Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology is useful for risk stratification and quality control, confirming its validity and diagnostic utility. Widespread use of MSRSGC would improve the accuracy of salivary gland cytology and lead to better patient care and improved treatment strategies. The results of this study are in consonance with reported values as per MSRSGC except for category V.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The MSRSGC which was first reported in 2018 is a very useful tool for proper stratification of ROM in salivary gland FNAC. This study allowed us to validate the ROM values in different categories as reported in MSRSGC.

Comparisons among the Ultrasonography Prediction Model, Real-Time and Shear Wave Elastography in the Evaluation of Major Salivary Gland Tumors

We aimed to validate the diagnostic accuracy of a novel sonographic scoring model and compare it with other methods in the evaluation of malignant major salivary gland tumors. We enrolled 138 patients who received neck ultrasound (US) with fine needle aspiration (FNA) and further operations or core needle biopsies for major salivary gland tumors from June 2015 to October 2021. The sonographic scoring model was presented as 2.08 × (vague boundary) + 1.75 × (regional lymphadenopathy) + 1.18 × (irregular or speculated shape) + 1.45 × (absence of posterior acoustic enhancement) + 2.4 × (calcification). We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the sonographic scoring model with shear wave elastography (SWE), real-time elastography (RTE), and US-FNA cytology for differentiating between benign and malignant lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 58%, 89%, and 85% for the sonographic scoring model, 74%, 62%, and 64% for the SD of SWE with optimal cutoff value of 31.5 kPa, 69%, 70%, and 70% for the 4-point scoring system of RTE, and 74%, 93%, and 91% for US-FNA cytology, respectively. The sonographic scoring model is feasible as assistance in the evaluation of major salivary gland tumors. US-FNA cytology remains the tool of choice in diagnosing malignant salivary gland tumors.

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the parotid gland: a case report

Most malignant lymphomas of the head and neck region are non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common subtype. The prevalence of malignant lymphoma among parotid tumors is low, approximately 1% to 4%. The most common symptom of parotid lymphoma is a unilateral, non-tender, firm mass that slowly grows in size over time. As its clinical manifestations are non-specific, a comprehensive assessment is required for an accurate diagnosis. The initial work-up includes imaging tools, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. However, NHL of the parotid gland is difficult to distinguish from other types of benign tumors prior to biopsy; histopathological evaluation and subsequent immunohistochemical staining are needed for the final diagnosis. Once a definitive diagnosis is established, patients should be referred to an oncologist for staging. Treatment is mainly based on systemic chemotherapy, whereas radiotherapy is indicated for certain cases. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with a progressively enlarging mass in the right parotid area, which was later diagnosed as malignant lymphoma of the parotid gland after superficial parotidectomy.

Comparative analysis of inter-observer variability between conventional reporting system of salivary gland cytology with Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology

BACKGROUND

Interpretation of salivary gland cytology often leads to inter-observer variability due to heterogenous and complex nature of these lesions. This creates a dilemma regarding their management by clinicians. Proposal of a universal system of reporting of salivary gland lesions leading to agreement in diagnosis and better understanding among clinicians was the need of the hour. Hence Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology (MSRSGC) was proposed in 2015 by the American society of cytopathology and the International Academy of Cytology. Present study was undertaken to assess inter-observer variability in reporting by conventional system and MSRSGC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and seventy-six cases of salivary gland lesions were subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology. Cases were interpreted by two experienced cytopathologists and were reported by both conventional system and MSRSGC. Histopathological correlation was available in 81 cases.

RESULTS

Inter-observer variability was noted in six cases reported by conventional system and in two cases by MSRSGC. Moreover three cases out six cases had different management protocols while both cases of Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytology had same management. Thirteen cases diagnosed by Milan system and 17 cases diagnosed by conventional system were discordant with histopathological diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytology has an edge over conventional system of reporting as it provides better agreement among cytopathologists and better management guidelines for clinicians with the added advantage of assessment of risk of malignancy.

Ultrasound-guided core biopsy in the diagnosis of parotid neoplasia: an overview and update with a review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

Accurate diagnosis of parotid neoplasia is a key to determine the most appropriate patient management choice, including the need for surgery. This review provides an update of the literature on current practice and outcomes of parotid tissue sampling techniques, with an emphasis on ultrasound-guided core biopsy (USCB) and comparison with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

METHODS

A literature review of EMBASE, Medline, PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted.

RESULTS

USCB has higher sensitivity, specificity and lower non-diagnostic rates than optimized FNAC. It also has a significantly higher sensitivity for the detection of malignancy. Significant complications post-USCB are uncommon, with only one reported case of tumour seeding and no cases of permanent facial nerve dysfunction. The technique is less operator-dependent than FNAC, with less reported variation in results between institutions.

CONCLUSIONS

USCB can be considered as the optimum tool of choice for the diagnosis of parotid neoplasia. This would particularly be the case in centres utilizing FNAC with high non-diagnostic rates or reduced diagnostic accuracy when compared to USCB published data, or in centres establishing a new service.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

An update of the role and outcomes of USCB in the diagnosis of parotid gland pathologies.Research shows that USCB preforms better than FNAC, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, particularly in the case of malignant neoplasia.Complications following USCB were found to be higher than that of FNAC; however, no long-term major complications following either method have been reported in the literature.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Post-Procedural Complications Associated with Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Biopsy in the Preoperative Evaluation of Parotid Tumors

Correct diagnosis of a parotid neoplasm based on histology preoperatively is of utmost importance in order to guide patient management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of a parotid lesion and to describe associated post-procedural complications. A retrospective study was conducted between January 2015 and March 2021 of all patients who were referred to a tertiary care center for evaluation of a parotid lesion and who underwent core needle biopsy due to high-risk features or when malignancy was suspected on clinical examination or ultrasonography. Patient characteristics, histological findings, and post-procedural complications were recorded and evaluated. Among 890 patients referred for evaluation of a parotid lesion, in 138 patients a core needle biopsy was undertaken. On the basis of core needle biopsy findings, 11 lymphomas and 82 non-lymphoma malignancies were diagnosed in the parotid gland. The sensitivity of the core needle biopsy predicting the accurate tumor type was 97.56% (95% CI 91.47-99.70%) and the specificity 94.64% (95% CI 85.13-98.88%). The accuracy for the correct histopathological diagnosis was 93.48% (95% CI 87.98-96.97%). Post-procedural minor complications occurred in 19 patients (13.8%). In conclusion, a core needle biopsy can identify malignancy in the parotid gland with high sensitivity and specificity in a safe manner and therefore guide surgical treatment.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma. An indolent but aggressive tumour. Part A: from aetiopathogenesis to diagnosis

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a relatively rare tumour of the minor and major salivary glands. It is uncommon in the parotid gland while it is much more frequent in the submandibular gland and in minor salivary and mucinous glands (oral cavity, oropharynx, and paranasal sinuses). ACC may also arise in secretory glands located in other tissues, such as in the tracheobronchial tree, oesophagus, breast, lungs, prostate, uterine cervix, lachrymal and Bartholin’s glands, and skin. The natural history of ACC is characterised by an indolent growth rate, a relatively low probability of regional lymph node metastases and a high likelihood of haematogenous dissemination. ACC has been traditionally subdivided into three histological groups (cribriform, tubular, and solid) based on solid components of the tumour. Some studies have shown that tumours with a solid growth component have a rapid fatal course, compared to tumours without a solid growth component, but other studies have failed to correlate growth patterns with clinical course. The purpose of this review is to analyse the very large number of studies (sometimes contradictory) on ACC. In this first part, the aetiology, epidemiology, histopathology, clinical behaviour and diagnostic workup are examined.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck: CRTC1/3 MAML 2 translocation and its prognosticators

PURPOSE

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the head and neck is a prevalent malignant salivary gland tumour with a reported good outcome. The aim of this study was to report the outcome in our centre.

METHODS

A retrospective chart analysis with survival analyses was performed combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to assess CRTC1/3 MAML 2 fusion gene presence.

RESULTS

Sixty-four cases of MEC were identified. Median age at presentation was 51.4 years with a predominance for parotid gland involvement. Five, 10- and 20- year disease-free survival was 98%, 90% and 68%, respectively. Overall survival was 94%, 90% and 64%, respectively. Local recurrence was seen up to 14 years after primary diagnosis; distant metastases were diagnosed up to 17 years later. The overall recurrence rate was less than 20 per cent. CRTC1/3 MAML 2 fusion gene presence showed no survival benefit.

CONCLUSION

MEC of the head and neck has a favorable outcome with the exception of high-grade MEC. PNI and nodal involvement are not rare. CRTC1/3 MAML 2 fusion gene presence showed no survival benefit. The tendency for late onset of loco-regional and distant recurrence should not be underestimated.

Comparison of preoperative diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy in parotid gland neoplasms

BACKGROUND

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) are two commonly used approaches for the diagnosis of suspected neoplastic parotid gland lesions. We aimed to compare the diagnostic efficiency of FNA and CNB performed with ultrasound guidance preoperatively for the diagnosis of parotid neoplasms.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the preoperative specimens of 113 patients (66 FNA, 47 CNB) who underwent surgical excision at our institute between 2014 and 2017. Patient selection was based on lesion type and dimension, preliminary and final pathology, imaging characteristics, clinical course, and treatment data for accurate statistical analysis. The final diagnosis was based on surgery in all of the patients. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of FNA and CNB regarding the correct tissue-specific diagnosis of benign and malignant tumours. The recurrence and complication rates were analysed to determine the safety of each technique.

RESULTS

Among the 113 patients, the average follow-up period was 65.4 (50-88) months. Seventy-one patients (62.8%) were males, and the median age was 50 years. The most common type of surgery was superficial parotidectomy (83.2%), and the median tumour size was 30.0 mm. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent neoplasm. The diagnostic rates of preoperative pathological evaluation of FNA and CNB samples were 68.2% and 91.5%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of FNA for detecting malignant lesions were 40, 100, and 100%, respectively, and those of CNB were 100, 100, and 100%, respectively. Only one complication occurred (haematoma) in the biopsy area after CNB. No recurrences were seen after CNB and FNA during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the diagnostic ability, sensitivity, and specificity of CNB are excellent compared with those of FNA. The only disadvantage of CNB is the need for experienced staff and good-quality equipment. The complication rates of each technique are very low, and the risk of tumour tract seeding is controversial. CNB should be considered the technique of choice when a nodule is detected in the parotid glands.

Salivary gland carcinoma in children and adolescents: The EXPeRT/PARTNER diagnosis and treatment recommendations

Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) are rare during childhood and adolescence. Consequently, no standardized recommendations for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of pediatric SGC are available, and pediatric oncologists and surgeons generally follow adult guidelines. Complete surgical resection with adequate margins constitutes the cornerstone of treatment. However, the indications and modalities of adjuvant therapy remain controversial and may be challenging in view of the potential long-term toxicities in the pediatric population. This paper presents the consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with SGCs, established by the European Cooperative Study Group for Pediatric Rare Tumors (EXPeRT) within the EU-funded PARTNER project (Paediatric Rare Tumours Network - European Registry).

Radiographic Interpretation in Oral Medicine and Hospital Dental Practice

Oral medicine practice includes the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of oral and orofacial diseases and oral manifestations of systemic conditions. Oral medicine specialists in medical and dental settings often require imaging in assessment and treatment of these conditions. This article reviews imaging that may be used in practice, particularly as relevant for facial pain, bone conditions, and salivary gland disease. It reviews imaging that may be considered in a hospital setting for assessment of admitted patients, patient evaluation before surgical procedures, and provision of dentistry in a hospital setting for patients who cannot submit to treatment in an outpatient setting.

Management of Salivary Gland Malignancy: ASCO Guideline

PURPOSE

To provide evidence-based recommendations for practicing physicians and other healthcare providers on the management of salivary gland malignancy.

METHODS

ASCO convened an Expert Panel of medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, neuroradiology, pathology, and patient advocacy experts to conduct a literature search, which included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and prospective and retrospective comparative observational studies published from 2000 through 2020. Outcomes of interest included survival, diagnostic accuracy, disease recurrence, and quality of life. Expert Panel members used available evidence and informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 293 relevant studies to inform the evidence base for this guideline. Six main clinical questions were addressed, which included subquestions on preoperative evaluations, surgical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, appropriate radiotherapy techniques, the role of systemic therapy, and follow-up evaluations.

RECOMMENDATIONS

When possible, evidence-based recommendations were developed to address the diagnosis and appropriate preoperative evaluations for patients with a salivary gland malignancy, therapeutic procedures, and appropriate treatment options in various salivary gland histologies.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/head-neck-cancer-guidelines.

Diagnostic use of fine-needle aspiration cytology and core-needle biopsy in head and neck sarcomas

The diagnostic role of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core-needle biopsy (CNB) has not been comprehensively assessed in head and neck sarcomas. A systematic review of published cases (1990-2020) was conducted. Diagnostic performance of both FNAC/CNB to determine tumor dignity and histopathological diagnosis was calculated. One hundred and sixty-eight cases were included for which FNAC (n = 156), CNB (n = 8), or both (n = 4) were used. Predominant histologies were skeletal muscle, chondrogenic and vascular sarcomas. FNAC correctly assessed dignity in 76.3% and histology in 45% of cases. Dignity was significantly better for vascular tumors, metastatic and recurrent specimens, and worse for chondrogenic sarcomas. CNB showed a 92% accuracy to identify dignity and 83% for histopathology. FNAC and CNB are useful methods for the diagnosis of head and neck sarcomas, particularly well-suited in the context of recurrent or metastatic disease. The role of CNB remains largely unexplored for this indication.

Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma to the Cervical Lymph Nodes From an Unknown Primary Cancer: Management in the HPV Era

Background

Patients with metastases in the lymph nodes of the neck and no obvious primary tumor, neck cancer with unknown primary (NCUP), represent a management challenge. A majority of patients have metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), although other histologies do occur.

Methods

We comprehensively reviewed the literature, compared available guidelines, and conferred with an international team of experts.

Results

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and fine needle aspiration (FNA) under ultrasound guidance increase accuracy of diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), determination of human papilloma virus (HPV) status, by p16 staining or by in situ hybridization (ISH), and next-generation gene sequencing can guide us regarding probable primary sites and tumor biology. Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) has been introduced for the early detection of subtle mucosal lesions. Direct laryngoscopy (DL) and tonsillectomy have long been procedures used in the search for a primary site. More recently, TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) or Transoral LASER Microsurgery (TLM) have been introduced for lingual tonsillectomy.

Conclusions

New technologies have been developed which can better detect, diagnose, and treat occult primary tumors. Decisions regarding therapy are based on the primary tumor site (if discovered) and N stage. Options include neck dissection with or without postoperative adjuvant therapy, primary irradiation, or combined chemotherapy with irradiation. The preferred treatment of patients whose primary remains unidentified is controversial.

Sialoblastoma of the submandibular gland: a distinct entity?

Sialoblastoma is a rare congenital malignant tumor of the salivary glands. A case of a submandibular sialoblastoma in a 1.5-year-old child is presented. A comparative analysis on 79 pediatric cases reported in the literature suggests a less aggressive behavior for submandibular sialoblastoma in comparison with other sites. Classically, diagnosis is confirmed by open biopsy, but fine-needle aspiration may offer an alternative with reduced morbidity. Expression of AFP and high levels of Ki-67 have been associated with poor prognosis. Whilst early surgical resection with negative margins is widely accepted as first-line treatment, there is no consensus on therapy of recurrence and follow-up. MRI and sonography represent valid tools for the follow-up, which is usually restricted to 3-5 years.Conclusion: Submandibular sialoblastomas may have a different biological profile in comparison with parotid tumors with the absence of metastasis and much lower rate of recurrence. Comprehensive diagnostics should include additional options such as fine-needle aspiration and markers to assess cell proliferation and AFP. Literature suggests that surgery alone is sufficient for the treatment of tumors with low malignancy. Follow-up should be tailored according to the tumor site and might be limited to 3-5 years. What is Known: • Sialoblastoma is a rare congenital malignant tumor with an unpredictable clinical outcome. What is New: • Sialoblastoma of submandibular origin seems to have a less aggressive behavior in comparison with other sites. • Fine-needle aspiration and markers to assess proliferation index (i.e., suggestive of potential more aggressive course/malignancy) should be strongly considered in the diagnostic work-up. • Radical surgery as first-line therapy and a 3-5-year follow-up are acceptable for tumors with a low malignancy.

Moving toward a systematic approach for reporting salivary gland cytopathology: cytohistological correlation with the application of the Milan system for risk stratification at a tertiary care center

INTRODUCTION

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of salivary glands is a well-established technique that plays a critical role in the preoperative diagnosis of lesions. Despite its clinical utility, it remains one of the most challenging areas in cytopathology. This is because there is no consensus on how to report salivary gland cytopathology, which has resulted in inconsistent terminology and confusion in communication among cytopathologists and clinicians. A risk stratification of FNA diagnostic categories has been recently proposed to be useful in reporting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of FNAC of salivary gland lesions reported from 2014 to 2017 was performed. The performance of the cytology reporting system was evaluated with histological diagnosis serving as the gold standard. The aspirates were then categorized according to the Milan system. Furthermore, the risk of malignancy was calculated for all diagnostic categories.

RESULTS

A total of 899 salivary gland aspirates were evaluated: 2.2% were nondiagnostic, 55.8% indicated nonneoplastic lesions, and 40.4% indicated neoplastic lesions. Histopathology was available for 172 cases. FNA had a sensitivity of 72.3% and a specificity of 92.6% with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 91.4% for differentiating malignant from benign tumors.

CONCLUSION

A tiered classification scheme as proposed by the Milan system may prove helpful in effectively guiding clinical management of patients with salivary gland lesions. Our experience with this system helps to pave the way for the adoption of the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology.

Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology: An Experience with the Implication for Risk of Malignancy

Introduction:

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a well-established technique for evaluation of salivary gland lesions, but because of the heterogenicity and morphological overlap between spectrum of lesion, there are a few challenges in its wide use. Recently, “The Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology” (MSRSGC) was introduced, providing guide for diagnosis and management according to the risk of malignancy (ROM) in different categories. The current study was conducted retrospectively to reclassify the salivary gland lesions from previous diagnosis and to evaluate the ROM in different categories.

Material and Methods:

Clinical data, FNAC specimen, histological, and clinical follow-up of cases were retrieved, cytological features were re-evaluated, and cases were reclassified as follows: Category 1: Non-diagnostic (ND); Category 2: Non-neoplastic (NN); Category 3: Atypia of undetermined significance (AUS); Category 4a: Neoplasm: benign (NB), Category 4b: Neoplasm: salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP); Category 5: suspicious of malignancy (SM); and Category 6: Malignant (M).

Result:

Total 293 cases were evaluated cytologically, and histological follow-up was available in 172 cases. The distribution of cases into different categories was as follows ND (6.1%), NN (38.2%), AUS (2.7%), NB (33.4%), SUMP (2.0%), SM (2.4%), and M (15%). Overall, ROM reported were 25%, 5%, 20%, 4.4%, 33.3%, 85.7%, and 97.5%, respectively for each category. Overall, sensitivity was 83.33%, specificity was 98.31%, positive predictive value was 95.74%, and negative predictive value was 92.80%.

Conclusion:

MSRSGC is a recently proposed six category scheme, which places salivary gland FNAC into well-defined categories that limit the possibilities of false negative and false positive cases.

Cytological features of the Warthin-like variant of salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Warthin-like mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a recently proposed variant of musoepidermoid carcinoma. Histologically, it is characterized by its close resemblance to Warthin tumor, including dense lymphocytic infiltration, flattened intermediate epithelium resembling squamous metaplasia, and cystic change. Given its histologic similarity to Warthin tumor, confirmatory testing for MAML2 rearrangement is often required for this diagnosis. Here we present the first cytologic reports of two 53-year-old female patients with parotid masses. In both cases, the fine needle aspirations showed fragments of bland epithelium with a squamous appearance, mucinous cyst content, and focal lymphocytic background. Neither frank keratinization nor mucinous cells were identified in the smears. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) study confirmed MAML2 rearrangement on the resection specimens in both. Other cytologic differential diagnoses, including Warthin tumor with metaplasia, lymphadenoma, and lymphoepithelial cyst, were briefly discussed.

Development of Aspiration-Assisted End-Cut Coaxial Biopsy Needles

Needle biopsy procedures, such as fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy, are used to extract tissue samples for diagnosis, and collection of larger samples allows for more accurate diagnosis of cancers. The combination of lower needle insertion force, less needle deflection, and reduced friction between the tissue and needle surface also leads to a more efficient biopsy procedure. In this research, a new end-cut-type coaxial needle with a modified aspiration mechanism has been developed to extract large tissue with minimal damage. The study shows that the clearance between the inner stylette and external needle and the insertion speed are the key factors affecting the biopsy performance including syringe friction force and amount of tissue extracted. Larger tissue samples (gelatin and chicken breast are used as samples here) can be obtained when inserting at lower speeds and using coaxial needles with smaller clearances between the external needles and inner stylettes. For solid samples (gelatin), the space inside the external needle is nearly filled with the solid sample. For samples consisting of both solid (chicken meat) and liquid components, a slower needle insertion results in extraction of more liquid than solid. To extract larger solid samples, high-speed needle insertion is required. This paper presents the design and manufacture of the system, protocol to evaluate the needle biopsy, and evaluation of the needle biopsy performance using gelatin and chicken breast as tissue samples.