P M Som1, A R Silvers, M L Urken. 1. Department of Radiology, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, City University of New York, NY 10029, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of prompt CT-guided fine-needle aspiration in the evaluation of suspected tumor recurrence seen on surveillance images of patients who had undergone surgery for head and neck cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 32 patients who had undergone CT-guided fine-needle aspiration after surgery for head and neck cancer. CT-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed with a 22-gauge spinal needle and a cytopathologist was present to assess the adequacy of the biopsy sample. As many as five needle passes were made. RESULTS: Of the 32 cases, pathologic findings revealed squamous cell carcinoma (n = 27), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 2), neuroendocrine carcinoma (n = 1), papillary thyroid carcinoma (n = 1), and adenocarcinoma (n = 1). In 20 cases (62.5%) the results of CT-guided fine-needle aspiration were positive for tumor recurrence, whereas in 11 cases (34.4%) the results were negative. In one case (3.1%) the results were nondiagnostic. Of the 11 patients with negative findings on CT-guided fine-needle aspiration, two patients had a subsequent recurrence that was not at the biopsy site. There were no complications from the procedure. CONCLUSION: When a radiologist who is trained in head and neck imaging identifies with CT a possible early recurrence of tumor, the prompt use of CT-guided fine-needle aspiration is an effective way to diagnose these tumors so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of prompt CT-guided fine-needle aspiration in the evaluation of suspected tumor recurrence seen on surveillance images of patients who had undergone surgery for head and neck cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 32 patients who had undergone CT-guided fine-needle aspiration after surgery for head and neck cancer. CT-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed with a 22-gauge spinal needle and a cytopathologist was present to assess the adequacy of the biopsy sample. As many as five needle passes were made. RESULTS: Of the 32 cases, pathologic findings revealed squamous cell carcinoma (n = 27), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 2), neuroendocrine carcinoma (n = 1), papillary thyroid carcinoma (n = 1), and adenocarcinoma (n = 1). In 20 cases (62.5%) the results of CT-guided fine-needle aspiration were positive for tumor recurrence, whereas in 11 cases (34.4%) the results were negative. In one case (3.1%) the results were nondiagnostic. Of the 11 patients with negative findings on CT-guided fine-needle aspiration, two patients had a subsequent recurrence that was not at the biopsy site. There were no complications from the procedure. CONCLUSION: When a radiologist who is trained in head and neck imaging identifies with CT a possible early recurrence of tumor, the prompt use of CT-guided fine-needle aspiration is an effective way to diagnose these tumors so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.