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Comparison of preoperative diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy in parotid gland neoplasms

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

Abstract

Background

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) are two commonly used approaches for the diagnosis of suspected neoplastic parotid gland lesions. We aimed to compare the diagnostic efficiency of FNA and CNB performed with ultrasound guidance preoperatively for the diagnosis of parotid neoplasms.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the preoperative specimens of 113 patients (66 FNA, 47 CNB) who underwent surgical excision at our institute between 2014 and 2017. Patient selection was based on lesion type and dimension, preliminary and final pathology, imaging characteristics, clinical course, and treatment data for accurate statistical analysis. The final diagnosis was based on surgery in all of the patients. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of FNA and CNB regarding the correct tissue-specific diagnosis of benign and malignant tumours. The recurrence and complication rates were analysed to determine the safety of each technique.

Results

Among the 113 patients, the average follow-up period was 65.4 (50–88) months. Seventy-one patients (62.8%) were males, and the median age was 50 years. The most common type of surgery was superficial parotidectomy (83.2%), and the median tumour size was 30.0 mm. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent neoplasm. The diagnostic rates of preoperative pathological evaluation of FNA and CNB samples were 68.2% and 91.5%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of FNA for detecting malignant lesions were 40, 100, and 100%, respectively, and those of CNB were 100, 100, and 100%, respectively. Only one complication occurred (haematoma) in the biopsy area after CNB. No recurrences were seen after CNB and FNA during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the diagnostic ability, sensitivity, and specificity of CNB are excellent compared with those of FNA. The only disadvantage of CNB is the need for experienced staff and good-quality equipment. The complication rates of each technique are very low, and the risk of tumour tract seeding is controversial. CNB should be considered the technique of choice when a nodule is detected in the parotid glands.

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Funding

This research received no specific Grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Medical Sciences, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Merkez Mahallesi, 6. Sk. Bağcilar, 34100, Istanbul, Turkey

    Abdurrahman Bugra Cengiz, Recep Gul & Mehmet Faruk Oktay

  2. Dept of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Hasan Deniz Tansuker

  3. Dept of Pathology, University of Medical Sciences, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Funda Emre

  4. Dept of Radiology, University of Medical Sciences, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Tuna Demirbas

Authors
  1. Abdurrahman Bugra Cengiz
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  2. Hasan Deniz Tansuker
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  3. Recep Gul
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  4. Funda Emre
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  5. Tuna Demirbas
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  6. Mehmet Faruk Oktay
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Correspondence to Abdurrahman Bugra Cengiz.

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All procedures performed in studies involving humans were in accordance with the ethical standards Committee in Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital.

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Cengiz, A.B., Tansuker, H.D., Gul, R. et al. Comparison of preoperative diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy in parotid gland neoplasms. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 278, 4067–4074 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-07022-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-07022-x

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