Sarda, A KBal, SSingh, M KKapur, M M1990-03-012009-05-311990-03-012009-05-311990-03-01Sarda AK, Bal S, Singh MK, Kapur MM. Fine needle aspiration cytology as a preliminary diagnostic procedure for asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 1990 Mar; 38(3): 203-5http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/92933Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was used as a preliminary diagnostic procedure in evaluating discrete, asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy of more than four weeks duration. Benign pathologies were encountered in 294/359 patients (82%); of these 86% had tuberculosis. Even in the elderly, a large number of patients (25/78) harboured tubercular lymph glands. FNAC obtained adequate material for cytologic diagnosis in 97.5% and had an overall accuracy rate of 97%. Malignancy was correctly diagnosed in 100%; in tuberculosis the accuracy rate of 96% with a 3.5% false negative results. FNAC is reliable as the initial evaluating procedure even in benign disorders; it is also cheap, speedy and easy to perform, with no complications, making it suitable for wider application in developing countries with scant resources.engAdenocarcinoma --pathologyAdolescentAdultBiopsy, NeedleCarcinoma, Squamous Cell --pathologyChildDiagnosis, DifferentialFemaleHead and Neck Neoplasms --pathologyHumansLymph Nodes --pathologyLymphatic MetastasisLymphoma --pathologyMaleMiddle AgedTuberculosis, Lymph Node --pathologyJournal Article