Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology for evaluation of axillary lymphadenopathy in patients with nonspecific mammograms

Background Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (US-guided FNAC) is regarded as an easy and recommended diagnostic method in any case of abnormal axillary lymphadenopathy. Aim This study aimed to determine the accuracy of US-guided FNAC for diagnosing abnormal axillary lymph nodes in individuals with nonspecific mammographic abnormalities. Patients and methods A total of 40 female patients between the ages of 30 and 67 enrolled in this prospective study with abnormal axillary lymphadenopathy on clinical examination with normal or benign findings in the mammogram. All patients underwent mammography using mediolateral oblique view, US, and then US-guided FNAC. Results FNAC has a successful record in detecting axillary lymphadenopathy. Sensitivity was 92.8%, specificity was 91.6%, positive predictive value was 96.2%, negative predictive value was 84.6%, diagnostic accuracy was 92.5%, the odds ratios for positive and negative results were 11.04 and 0.07, respectively, and in relationship with excisional biopsy, sensitivity was 87.5%, specificity was 88.8%, positive predictive value was 93.3%, and negative predictive value was 80%, with diagnostic. Conclusion When diagnosing axillary lymphadenopathy, fine-needle aspiration cytology showed a high sensitivity and specificity as well as a strong correlation with excisional biopsy.