Vol. 3 Issue 3 Part E

Fine needle aspiration cytology is a relatively painless procedure, speedy and less costly with low risk of complications. FNAC was first used as diagnostic tool in 1904 by Greig and Gray and by Martin and Ellis, who developed its use in the diagnosis of malignancy. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a valuable technique in investigation of nodules and masses arising within the head and neck. The diagnosis of head and neck swelling is a common clinical dilemma. Head and neck lesions are very commonly encountered superficial lump in cytopathology department and swellings in this region rarely go unnoticed. FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) is of great value in early diagnosis and differentiation of large number of infective, benign and malignant lesions in head and neck region.