AbstractIntroduction: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is well established diagnostic procedure for the head and neck region. It is simple and rapid procedure. Most common head and neck lesions in paediatric age group are of inflammatory, neoplastic and developmental conditions.
Objectives: To study the role of fine needle aspiration cytology of head and neck lesions in paediatric age group.
Materials and methods: This was a hospital based study where two hundred cases of head and neck lesions of the paediatric age group [0-18 years] were studied for cytomorphology through fine needle aspiration cytology.
Results: There was a male predominance in the case distribution [67%]. Lesions in the lymph nodes were 82%, thyroid - 13%, epidermal/dermoid cyst - 3%, salivary gland - 1%, and benign spindle cell lesion - 1% among the head and neck lesions.
Conclusion: FNAC is an important investigational tool in children for identifying and planning the medical management of inflammatory and infectious conditions. In general, FNA cytology permits a rapid and high diagnostic accuracy, thus making it a desirable method for diagnosing lesions in children.
Keywords: Head And Neck, Paediatric Age Group, FNAC.