[Value of needle biopsy for the diagnosis of salivary gland tumors].

Tumors of the salivary glands can be diagnosed preoperatively by fine needle aspiration biopsy. Aspiration biopsy was performed in 328 cases with swelling of a salivary gland. Histologic findings were available for comparison in 186 cases. The cytologic reports yielded a positive tumor diagnosis in 84% of the cases with histologically verified tumors. False negative reports were mainly due to cystic tumors. Information concerning the dignity of the tumor was obtained in 95% of the cases recognized by cytology. The type of the tumor was correctly diagnosed in 90%.