Publication:

Diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration cytology in pediatric age group in a tertiary care centre

Background Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a simple, cost effective, minimal invasive and a rapid diagnostic technique. The present study was designed to study the role of fine needle aspiration cytology and its utility in paediatric lesions. It also specifies the spectra of different lesions in the paediatric age group.

Methods The present study was performed in the Department of Pathology, in a tertiary care centre of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India. All pediatric patients aged 0-17 years with palpable or deep-seated lesions were included in the study over a period extending from January 2017 to December 2018. The aim was to study the utility of FNAC in paediatric age group.

Results A total of 200 cases of FNAC in pediatric age group were studied. Out of total 200 cases maximum number of patients i.e. 59% were between 11-17 years. Male to female ratio was 1.7:1. A preponderance of lymph nodes over other sites i.e. 129/200 (64.5%) was noted.

Conclusions FNAC is a safe, rapid, accurate and cost-effective procedure with good patient acceptance with no essential morbidity and can be used as an initial screening tool in superficial and deep-seated lesions in pediatric age group.