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Novel use of ultrasound-guided endo-cavitary probe to evaluate an impalpable parapharyngeal mass

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2009

A Riskalla*
Affiliation:
Head and Neck Centre, University College Hospital, London, UK
A Arora
Affiliation:
Head and Neck Centre, University College Hospital, London, UK
F Vaz
Affiliation:
Head and Neck Centre, University College Hospital, London, UK
P O'Flynn
Affiliation:
Head and Neck Centre, University College Hospital, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr A Riskalla, University College Hospital, Head and Neck Services, First Floor East 250, Euston Road, London NW1 2PG, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Aim:

We present a novel, previously undescribed technique of obtaining a biopsy from an inaccessible parapharyngeal space mass.

Method:

A modified endo-cavitary ultrasound probe was utilised to obtain an intra-oral, image-guided core biopsy of a parapharyngeal tumour. The parapharyngeal mass was not accessible to percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy due to its anatomical location.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first such modification of the conventional endo-cavitary probe technique described in the literature. The technique permits accurate, well controlled biopsy of lesions located high in the parapharyngeal space, under general anaesthesia.

Type
Short Communication
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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References

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