The role of core needle biopsy in parotid glands lesions with inconclusive fine needle aspiration.

Abstract Objectives Usefulness of preoperative tissue sampling and pathology diagnoses in parotid gland tumors were accepted worldwide. We investigate the role of CNB in the parotid gland lesions when FNA results are inconclusive. Methods We conducted a cross sectional study to evaluate CNB results from fifty-two patients with history of parotid gland lesion and inconclusive previous fine needle aspiration. Results In this study, 45 out of 52 CNB results determined definite histological subtype diagnosis. Four CNB reports were inconclusive and three CNB results were compatible with malignancies, but did not define definite diagnosis. Calculated sensitivity for diagnosis of malignancy was 96% and specificity was 85%. Negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy for CNB in detecting malignancy, were calculated 94%, 90%, and 92%, respectively. Conclusions When FNA is not conclusive, CNB may be used as a precise method to evaluate the parotid gland lesions.