Abstract :
Introduction: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is well accepted as a useful diagnostic technique in the management of adult patients with swellings. Until recently the application of FNAC to the pediatric population was largely ignored in the Indian and American pediatric literature. There are only few Indian studies of FNAC in pediatric population. Previous reports have studied its utility mainly in head and neck lesions, lymphadenopathy, malignant neoplasms of a particular organ in pediatric population.
Materials and Method: The present study was carried out in a rural tertiary care hospital over a period of 30 months in patients attending the out-patient departments of the hospital presenting with masses and or associated symptoms. It comprises of 148 fine needle aspiration cytology smears aspirated from children of age group 1-14years.
Conclusion: Even though childhood tumors share common cytological features, the diagnosis can be narrowed down to particular type with the help of clinical and radiological features. FNAC can be recommended as a first line investigation in diagnosis of pediatric lesions and is also an effective method for evaluation and primary diagnosis of lesions in pediatric population.
Keyword :
FNAC, Pediatric lesions, Rural tertiary care hospital