Computed tomography-guided percutaneous biopsy of head and neck masses: techniques, outcomes, and complications

• Published in: Radiologia brasileira 2021-10, Vol.54 (5), p.295-302
• Main Authors: Amoedo, Mauricio Kauark, Tyng, Chiang Jeng, Barbosa, Paula Nicole Vieira Pinto, de Melo, Rayssa Araruna Bezerra, Almeida, Maria Fernanda Arruda, Chojniak, Rubens, Bitencourt, Almir Galvão Vieira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original; RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING
• ISSN: 0100-3984; 1678-7099; 1678-7099
• DOI: 10.1590/0100-3984.2020.0100

To assess the technique, efficacy, and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous biopsies of head and neck masses. This was a retrospective, single-center study of CT-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsies of head and neck masses. For the analysis of diagnostic accuracy, biopsy results were compared with the final diagnosis, which was determined by histological examination and clinical follow-up. We evaluated 74 biopsies performed in 68 patients. The mean age of the patients was 55.6 years. Most of the lesions (79.7%) were located in the suprahyoid region, and the maximum diameter ranged from 11 mm to 128 mm. The most common approaches were paramaxillary (in 32.4%), retromandibular (in 21.6%), and periorbital (in 14.9%). Five patients (6.8%) developed minor complications. The presence of a complication did not show a statistically significant association with any clinical, radiological, or procedure-related factor. Sufficient material for histological analysis was obtained in all procedures. Thirty-eight biopsies (51.4%) yielded a histological diagnosis of malignancy. There was a false-negative result in three cases (8.3%), and there were no false-positive results. The procedure had a sensitivity of 92.7%, a specificity of 100%, and an accuracy of 96.0%. Our results demonstrate that CT-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy of head and neck lesions is a safe, effective procedure for obtaining biological material for histological analysis.