Laryngo- rhino- otologie
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Laryngo- rhino- otologie · Dec 1989
[The value of ultrasound-controlled fine-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of possible neck tumors].
From October 1985 to July 1988 we performed a study to examine 106 patients with head and neck tumours, by using ultrasound as a guiding system for fine-needle aspiration biopsy. It could be shown that this method has a high diagnostic significance at the neck with a low rate of risks. In a first step puncture was effected to obtain material for cytology, if necessary also for a bacteriological examination. ⋯ In cases of benign neck cysts, neck abscesses and non-specific lymphadenopathy, a cutting neck biopsy is not required, provided the clinical diagnosis is in accordance with the result of aspiration cytology and the further clinical progress. The advantage of the ultrasound-guided puncture compared with palpation-guided puncture is the certainty of locating the region of interest even in deep lesions without an appreciable risk of complications. In our opinion, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy is indicated in all cases of unclear head and neck tumours which could be treated conservatively if the result of the puncture is non-malignant.