Objective: This study assessed the clinical utility of cutting needle biopsy in which a newly developed Monopty biopsy instrument (MBI) (Monopty, Bard Urologic Division; Covington, Ga) was used in the preoperative assessment of head and neck lesions.
Study design: Needle biopsies were performed with the MBI in 16 cases of head and neck lesions that included lesions in lymph nodes, salivary glands, palate, and soft tissue.
Results: High-quality histopathologic specimens were obtained without complications in all biopsies performed, and the diagnostic target tissue was obtained in 15 of 16 cases. Diagnoses made from MBI needle biopsy specimens were consistent with the final diagnoses made from subsequent surgical materials in 14 cases, and the accuracy rate was 88%. None of the samples demonstrated significant rush artifacts or obscuring blood, both of which are problems commonly associated with manual biopsy techniques.
Conclusions: This technique offers a safe and effective means of obtaining adequate tissue for the histological assessment of head and neck lesions.