Introduction: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is being extensively used for pre- operative diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. It is a simple, safe and cost effective procedure that provides valuable information for planning suitable management. The aim was to study cyto- histo-pathological correlation of salivary gland lesions; to examine sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of FNAC of salivary gland lesions.

Method And Material: Present study was a retrospective study comprised of FNAC samples of salivary glands which were verified by histo-pathological diagnosis over a five years period from July 2017 to June 2022 obtained from the archives of Department of Pathology, S.B.K.S.M.I. & R.C., Piparia, Vadodara.

Result: Out of 102 total studied cases, 66 have cyto-histological correlation. On cytological diagnosis commonest lesion was pleomorphic adenoma (46.96%). In non-neoplastic category, inflammatory lesion was common with 27.27% of cases (chronic sialadenitis – 13.63 %, acute sialadenitis -7.57 %, acute on chronic sialadenitis -1.51 % and granulomatous sialadenitis 4.54%). In neoplastic category (malignant neoplasm), there were 2 cases of (3.03 %) epithelial- myoepithelial carcinoma/ mucoepidermoid carcinoma , one (1.51 %) acinic cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and adenocarcinoma each. 2 other cases (3.03 %) were diagnosed as Suspicious of malignancy and one (1.51 %) Positive for malignancy without further typing of tumour. In one case (1.51 %) definitive cytological diagnosis was not possible.

Conclusion: A significant sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive values was assessed in the present study, thus emphasising the use of FNA for pre-operative management of salivary gland lesions. A careful cytological analysis helps the operating surgeons to have pre-operative data regarding the nature of the lesion. This helps proper planning of treatment and reduces overall cost of treatment and need for hospitalisation