Objective: To study the role of FNAC in the diagnosis of cysticercosis. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with subcutaneous and intramuscular nodules having a differential diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenopathy, reactive lymphadenitis, lipoma, neurofibroma and cysticercosis were included in the present study. Results: FNAC proved to be the definitive diagnosis in 13 cases where fragments of parasite bladder wall were seen. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. In the rest 17 cases, no fragments were observed in the FNAC smears and parasitic inflammation was suggested on the basis of other cytomorphological findings. Follow-up biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cysticercosis. Conclusions: FNAC in cysticercosis is an easy , reliable ,cost effective non invasive outpatient procedure . The cytological diagnosis is conclusive in the cases where fragments of actual parasite are identified in the smears. However, in other cases, presence of a typical granular dirty background, eosinophils or/and histiocytes ,giant cells etc. Give an insight to the pathologist to consider this possibility. Definitive evidence on cytology obviates the need for histopathology.

Keywords: Cysticercosis; Fine needle aspiration cytology; Parasite.