Ultrasound-guided core biopsy for investigation of cervical lymph node: chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.

We describe a case in which ultrasound-guided fine needle core biopsy of a cervical lymph node enabled diagnosis of dual disease. Histological examination of the core biopsy confirmed unsuspected chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with an isolated focus of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and enabled optimal preoperative planning of treatment. Such a case is extremely unusual and provides evidence of the accurate diagnosis that can be obtained from nodal investigations using ultrasound-guided core biopsy. Copyright 2008 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.