The relative value of fine-needle aspiration and imaging in the preoperative evaluation of parotid masses

Sande Bartels, J. Michael Talbot, John DiTomasso, Edwin C. Everts, Peter E. Andersen, Mark K. Wax, James I. Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. To establish the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of imaging and fine-needle aspiration (FNA), alone or in combination, in distinguishing benign from malignant histologic findings for parotid lesions. Methods. Retrospective blinded review of preoperative imaging and FNA studies of parotid masses and comparison with histologic findings after excision. Results. Forty-eight patients were identified (13 with CT, 35 with MRI); 23 (48%) of the lesions were malignant, 25 (52%) were benign. MRI, CT, and FNA misclassified 17%, 46%, and 21% of the lesions, respectively. The sensitivity/specificity/accuracy of these tests for detecting malignant lesions were as follows: MRI (88%,77%,83%), CT (100%,42%,69%), and FNA (83%,86%,85%) and were not significantly different. Combinations of imaging and FNA were not significantly better in detecting malignancy. Conclusions. Imaging and FNA are comparable in their ability to correctly identify malignant parotid lesions preoperatively. Combining these two modalities yields no advantage in terms of specificity, sensitivity, or accuracy of a malignant diagnosis. (C) 2000 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)781-786
Number of pages6
JournalHead and Neck
Volume22
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Computed tomography
  • Fine-needle aspiration
  • Imaging
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Parotid

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The relative value of fine-needle aspiration and imaging in the preoperative evaluation of parotid masses'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this