Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: is anesthesia necessary?

Abstract

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of inflammatory and neoplastic head and neck masses has become a widely used procedure in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Using both subjective (patient perception) and objective (complication rate, accuracy) criteria, this prospective study evaluated patients undergoing FNA with and without anesthesia. Seventy-five patients were enrolled into 1 of 3 study groups: group I, no anesthesia; group II, ethyl chloride spray; and group III, lidocaine infiltrative anesthesia. In general, the ease of FNA, complication rates, and accuracy rates were the same for the 3 groups. Patient perception and satisfaction rates were improved in groups II and III. Use of topical or infiltrative anesthesia may enhance the use of FNA in the anxious nervous patient undergoing FNA of a neck mass.