Ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of head and neck masses: Indications, technique, and results

Background. Unclear cervicofacial masses are common presentations that often require tissue sampling to guide therapy. While open biopsy is invasive, fine-needle aspiration cytology includes a high rate of nondiagnostic samples. Methods. A retrospective analysis on 181 core-needle biopsies in 88 patients was performed to determine the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsies in the head and neck. Results. We experienced 100% success in obtaining high-quality histopathologic specimens. The target tissue was correctly sampled in 80 of 88 patients. In these patients the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rate of core-needle biopsies in differentiating benign from malignant cervicofacial lesions was 98.1%, 100%, and 98.8%, respectively. Conclusions. Ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsies can be recommended as a safe and reliable technique in the diagnosis of cervicofacial masses with a high diagnostic yield. It obtains tissue samples of high quality and represents a sufficient alternative to open biopsy even in the diagnosis of lymphoma. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 29: 1033-1040, 2007