Efficacy Evaluation of Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Core Needle Biopsy for Infratemporal Fossa Lesions.

BACKGROUND

Lesions of infratemporal fossa (ITF) represent a group of pathologically heterogeneous diseases. Endoscopic biopsy has been the primary diagnostic method. To facilitate precise treatment, we introduced ultrasound fusion-guided core needle (UFCN) biopsy, which offers accuracy, minimal invasiveness, and real-time capability. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of UFCN biopsy for ITF lesions.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study compared patients with ITF lesions who underwent UFCN biopsy or not. Using logistic Poisson regression analysis, we evaluated the efficacy of UFCN biopsy by assessing the rate of general anesthesia endoscope biopsy, the time cost to final pathological diagnosis, and the rate of diagnosis-matched treatment.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients who underwent UFCN biopsy were included in the US group, and 24 patients who did not undergo UFCN biopsy were included in the ES group. Patients in the US group had a significantly lower risk of undergoing endoscopic biopsy under general anesthesia (OR of 0.04 95% CI 0.00-0.25) and a reduced time to diagnosis (OR of 0.68 95% CI 0.54-0.86). Additionally, UFCN biopsy was associated with a higher rate of diagnosis-matched treatment (OR of 47.23 95% CI 4.18-2043.94).

CONCLUSIONS

UFCN biopsy was an effective solution for ITF lesion pathological diagnosis. It can reduce the need for endoscope biopsy under general anesthesia, increase the rate of diagnosis-matched treatment, and shorten the time to pathology confirmation.