Cytological spectrum of salivary gland lesions according to the Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology: A retrospective study from Northeast India

Background: Salivary gland lesions comprise a heterogeneous group of inflammatory, benign, and malignant conditions. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is widely used in their evaluation, while the Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology provides a standardized reporting framework. Published data from northeastern India remain limited, particularly from Nagaland. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic profile and cytological spectrum of salivary gland lesions using the Milan system and compare the findings with published literature. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included all salivary gland FNAC cases received over a 32-month period. Cases were reviewed and categorized according to the Milan System. Available histopathological specimens were correlated with cytological diagnoses. Results: A total of 53 cases were included in the study. The mean age was 42.3±18.0 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1.52:1. The parotid gland was the most commonly involved site (67.9%). Acute sialadenitis was the most frequent non-neoplastic lesion, while pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign neoplasm. Category II (non-neoplastic) was the predominant Milan category (58.5%). Histopathological follow-up was available in 13 cases, with a cytohistological concordance rate of 69.2%. Conclusion: Non-neoplastic lesions predominated in the present cohort. The Milan system provided a practical framework for standardized reporting of salivary gland FNAC. Larger studies with greater histopathological follow-up are required to better characterize salivary gland lesions in Nagaland.