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The growth rate and the positive prediction of needle biopsy of clinically diagnosed Warthin’s tumor

  • Head and Neck
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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study reports the clinical course, including the growth rate, of Warthin’s tumor (WT) and evaluates the positive prediction of needle biopsy for WT.

Methods

The medical records of 182 patients clinically diagnosed with WT were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor growth rates were measured in patients who underwent serial radiologic exams with minimum 6-month time intervals, and the positive prediction value (PPV) of needle biopsy was evaluated in comparison with surgical pathology in patients who underwent surgical excision of the tumors.

Results

Serial radiologic exams were available for growth rate measurement in 31 tumors (size 0.7–9.1 cm) from 25 patients. Among these, 24 tumors increased in size, and 7 were stable. The median follow-up duration was 23.5 months [interquartile range (IQR) 14.8–51.9], and the tumor growth rate ranged from − 0.36 to 2.26 cm per year (median 0.26, IQR 0.07–0.44). Needle biopsy results were available for comparison with postoperative pathology specimens in 147 patients. The PPV was 97.7% for fine-needle aspiration biopsy and 100% for core-needle biopsy. There were no reports of inflammation, facial nerve paralysis, or admission event during the follow-up.

Conclusions

WT glows slowly and can be predicted by needle biopsy. Therefore, parotid masses diagnosed as Warthin’s tumor can be treated or left untreated based on the patient's needs and clinical decision-making.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

    Jungirl Seok & Soon-Hyun Ahn

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea

    Woo-Jin Jeong & Young Ho Jung

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  1. Jungirl Seok
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Correspondence to Young Ho Jung.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Seok, J., Jeong, WJ., Ahn, SH. et al. The growth rate and the positive prediction of needle biopsy of clinically diagnosed Warthin’s tumor. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 276, 2091–2096 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05493-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05493-7

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