Examination of the Correlation of Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy Results with Final Pathology in Parotid Tumors Based on MRI Images

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the preoperative fine-needle biopsy results and magnetic resonance imaging findings in parotid tumors with the final pathology results. Methods: The study included a total of 77 patients who underwent parotidectomy. The fine-needle biopsy procedure was performed under ultrasonography guidance in all the patients. The fine-needle aspiration cytology results of the patients were classified into benign, malignant, and undiagnosed groups. Facial magnetic resonance imaging was used to record the tumor side, localization, and size (longest axis), as well as the distance of the tumors from the skin. In addition, the final pathology volumes of the tumors were determined by calculating their dimensions on 3 axes. Results: The preoperative fine-needle biopsy results had 71.4% sensitivity and 96.4% specificity with reference to the final pathology results. There were no differences in terms of the size, side, localization, or skin distance of the masses according to the fine-needle aspiration cytology results (P > .05). However, the mass volume of the masses significantly differed according to the fine-needle aspiration cytology results (P < .05). The tumor volume measured on magnetic resonance imaging was significantly lower in the undiagnosed masses compared to the benign group. Conclusion: Our results showed that the mean volume of the undiagnosed tumors in fine-needle biopsy was lower. Considering the similar sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging and fine-needle biopsy, a second fine-needle biopsy procedure may not be requested in the presence of small-volume masses, depending on the clinician’s preference.