Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Medical Journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences 2783-2031 29 3 2007 09 22 Value of Fine- Needle Aspiration Cytology of Parotid Gland Masses 111 113 EN NADERPOUR M SHAHIDI N Journal Article 2010 05 04 Background and Objectives: Differentiating benign from malignant tumors of parotid gland preoperatively is very important from the point of treatment planning. We design this study to evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of fine- needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of parotid gland masses. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive – case series study the results of FNAC of 124 parotid masses were analyzed and compared with corresponding histo pathological diagnosis. Results: The cytological findings were nondiagnostic in 2 (1.6%), true- negative in 84 (67.7%), true- positive in 24 (19.4%), false- negative 13 (10.5%), and false- positive in 1 (0.8%) cases in detecting malignant tumors. The sensitivity and specificity in detecting malignant tumors were 64.8% and 98.8% respectively. Conclusion: Fine- needle aspiration cytology is a valuable adjunct to preoperative assessment of parotid masses. Preoperative recognition of malignant tumors may help prepare both the surgeon and patient for an appropriate surgical procedure