Initial experience with core-needle bio psy in dia gnosing head and neck pathology

Introduction: A neck lump is a common fi nding in ENT practice. Its early and precise dia gnostics are the corner stone for successful treatment, especially in cases of malignant tumours. Commonly used fi ne-needle aspiration bio psy has a high rate of non-dia gnostic results, while open surgical bio psy poses a procedure with a higher incidence of complications and the necessity of hospital admission. Core-needle bio psy (CNB) represents the least invasive method of obtaining a tissue sample suffi cient for histological examination. Methods: In our retrospective study, we investigated 70 CNBs taken from 62 patients between 6/ 2020 to 12/ 2022. The outcome measures were the sensitivity and specifi city of CNB in dia gnosing neoplasia of the head and neck. All CNBs were performed by an otorhinolaryngologist. Results: In the entire cohort, the sensitivity and specifi city for neoplasia were 69.5% and 90.9%, respectively. For malignancy, the sensitivity was 53.9% and the specifi city was 100%. In cases of squamous cell carcinoma, we reached 83.3% for sensitivity and 100% for specifi city. For lymphoma, the sensitivity and specifi city were 33.3% and 100%, respectively. CNB sensitivity and specifi city for salivary neoplasia were 74. % and 87.5%, respectively. We encoutered a single complication, i.e. temporary paresis of the facial nerve, which resolved spontaneously soon afterwards. Conclusion: Our results underline the potential of CNB in dia gnosing head and neck neoplasias. It is highly specifi c for squamous cell carcinoma, while it lacks suffi cient sensitivity for lymphomas. Ultrasound guidance is recommended especially for small and impalpable lessions. Key words bio psy – neoplasms – ultrasonography