Jungirl Seok1, Woo-Jin Jeong2, Soon-Hyun Ahn1, Young Ho Jung3. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. 2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea. entist@naver.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study reports the clinical course, including the growth rate, of Warthin's tumor (WT) and evaluates the positive prediction of needle biopsy for WT. METHODS: The medical records of 182 patients clinically diagnosed with WT were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor growth rates were measured in patients who underwent serial radiologic exams with minimum 6-month time intervals, and the positive prediction value (PPV) of needle biopsy was evaluated in comparison with surgical pathology in patients who underwent surgical excision of the tumors. RESULTS: Serial radiologic exams were available for growth rate measurement in 31 tumors (size 0.7-9.1 cm) from 25 patients. Among these, 24 tumors increased in size, and 7 were stable. The median follow-up duration was 23.5 months [interquartile range (IQR) 14.8-51.9], and the tumor growth rate ranged from - 0.36 to 2.26 cm per year (median 0.26, IQR 0.07-0.44). Needle biopsy results were available for comparison with postoperative pathology specimens in 147 patients. The PPV was 97.7% for fine-needle aspiration biopsy and 100% for core-needle biopsy. There were no reports of inflammation, facial nerve paralysis, or admission event during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: WT glows slowly and can be predicted by needle biopsy. Therefore, parotid masses diagnosed as Warthin's tumor can be treated or left untreated based on the patient's needs and clinical decision-making.
PURPOSE: This study reports the clinical course, including the growth rate, of Warthin's tumor (WT) and evaluates the positive prediction of needle biopsy for WT. METHODS: The medical records of 182 patients clinically diagnosed with WT were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor growth rates were measured in patients who underwent serial radiologic exams with minimum 6-month time intervals, and the positive prediction value (PPV) of needle biopsy was evaluated in comparison with surgical pathology in patients who underwent surgical excision of the tumors. RESULTS: Serial radiologic exams were available for growth rate measurement in 31 tumors (size 0.7-9.1 cm) from 25 patients. Among these, 24 tumors increased in size, and 7 were stable. The median follow-up duration was 23.5 months [interquartile range (IQR) 14.8-51.9], and the tumor growth rate ranged from - 0.36 to 2.26 cm per year (median 0.26, IQR 0.07-0.44). Needle biopsy results were available for comparison with postoperative pathology specimens in 147 patients. The PPV was 97.7% for fine-needle aspiration biopsy and 100% for core-needle biopsy. There were no reports of inflammation, facial nerve paralysis, or admission event during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: WT glows slowly and can be predicted by needle biopsy. Therefore, parotid masses diagnosed as Warthin's tumor can be treated or left untreated based on the patient's needs and clinical decision-making.