Evaluation of fine needle aspiration biopsy versus open biopsy in the diagnosis of head and neck masses

ABSTRACT

Fifty patients with head and neck masses were subjected to fine needle aspiration biopsy [FNAB] and compared with open surgical biopsy. The technique proved to be simple, rapid, safe, well tolerated, inexpensive and fairly accurate. It achieved an accuracy of 95%, sensitivity of 90% and a 100% specificity i.e. there has been no single benign case misdiagnosed as malignant. However, the results of this technique should be considered with caution in the diagnosis of follicular thyroid neoplasms