Accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in suspicious neck nodes after radiotherapy: retrospective analysis of 100 patients

Abstract

Little data are available regarding the accuracy of FNAC performed without ultrasound‐guidance in neck nodes after radiotherapy.

Our retrospective analysis of 100 patients showed a high sensitivity (87%), specificity (83%), positive predictive value (98%) and accuracy (87%) of this method.

Nodal size or lymph node necrosis had no influence on the probability to obtain a diagnostic FNAC.

A positive FNAC result leads to a rapid and cost‐effective therapy decision preventing significant delay for salvage treatment.

A negative FNAC result does not exclude metastatic and/or recurrent disease and warrants further diagnostic work‐up.

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