Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to determine the value and accuracy of ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in diagnosis of parotid masses.
Material and Methods: Data from patients who were operated for parotid masses at our clinic and performed preoperative ultrasound guided FNAB were analyzed retrospectively between 2003-2009. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy as a diagnostic test specificity, sensitivity values were calculated.
Results: Thirty-eight of the patients (58%) were male and 28 (42%) were female with a mean age of 48 (18-81). FNAB was benign at 54 patients and malign at 12 patients. We did not have any nondiagnostic values. Fifty-five of the 66 patients (83%) were reported as benign and 11 of the patients (17%) were reported as malign at postoperatif postoperative pathological examination. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive rates were 64% , 91%, 58%, 93%.
Conclusion: Ultrasound guided FNAB is a reliable method of preoperatively assessing parotid masses.

Key words: Parotid Mass, fine needle aspiration biopsy, specificity, sensivity, ultrasound