Cytological findings in salivary gland swellings among adults attending the fine needle aspiration clinic of Pathology Department Makerere University

Abstract

Introduction The apparent increase in the incidence of salivary gland lesions in some places has been the reason attributed to the current widespread practice of fine-needle aspiration in the diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. Salivary glands often give rise to different pathologic conditions, ranging from degeneration, inflammatory and neoplastic lesions. All the available information on salivary gland tumors in Uganda is histologically based Davies et al, 1994, Edda, 2004 and Kamulegeya et al, 2004. There is no cytological information on salivary gland tumors. Aim and objectives To evaluate the relative frequencies, types, site distribution and the social demographic characteristics associated with salivary gland swellings among adults. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 100 FNA cases of salivary gland swellings archived in the department of pathology at Makerere University College of health sciences between January 2013 to December 2017. The records were analyzed based on demographics, anatomic location of lesions and the cytological classification of findings. Results Out of 100 cases, 70% were benign, 20% were inflammatory and 10% were malignant with Male: Female ratio of 1:1.2. The mean age observed was 44.6 years with age range of 18 to 82 years. Parotid was the most common site for the location of tumors (61%) followed by submandibular (38%) and no swelling was identified in sublingual and minor salivary glands. Pleomorphic adenoma was found to be the commonest finding of all cases and also among benign conditions. Conclusion Females dominated this study. The most frequent age group was 38-47 years. The modal age at presentation was 38 years. Benign salivary gland conditions were the most commonly diagnosed diseases. The principal site for salivary gland tumors was the parotid gland and pleomorphic adenoma outnumbered all the other tumors. Males were more affected by the malignant conditions.