Fine aspiration needle biopsy (FNAB) is becoming a very important examination method in the diagnosis of tumours of the major salivary glands. The objective of the work is to evaluate cytological findings assembled by FNAB during the preoperative examination and to compare these findings with postoperative histological findings. Statistical evaluation covering a three-year period. During 1998-2001 Fine aspiration needle biopsy was made in 80 patients, 42 men and 38 women, mean age 52.2 years (range 18-88 years). Aspiration needle biopsy was used to examine 49 parotid glands, 28 submandibular glands and three sublingual glands. In 69 patients (86.2 %) the collected specimens could be diagnostically evaluated, in 11 patients (13.7 %) the specimen could not be diagnosed. In 20 patients (25 %) a malignant tumour of a salivary gland was verified or a metastasis of amalignant tumour into the area of a large salivary gland. In 49 patients (69.6 %) a benign rumour was found. On evaluation of the results of the preoperative cytological and postoperative histological finding the result was in both instances positive (TP) in 50 patients (62.5 %), in 9 patients (11.2 %) the result was in both instances negative. A falsely positive (suspect) result was obtained in two patients (2.5 %) and in eight patient (10 %) it was falsely negative. With the exception of one subsequently not confirmed suspected malignity no falsely positive diagnosis of malignity was recorded. The sensitivity of aspiration needle biopsy was 86.2 %, the specifity 85.2 % and the diagnostic accuracy 85.5 %. The results assembled in the baseline group of patients provide evidence of the usefulness of FNAB, in particular for the selection of and adequate surgical intervention.

        Key words: aspiration needle biopsy, salivary gland tumours, cytology, histology.