Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common problem as cervical lymph nodes drain the tongue, parotid gland, larynx, trachea and thyroid gland. Patients with cervical lymphadenpathy usually undergo ultrasound scanning as the first line investigation, often coupled with FNAC or core biopsy. Patients who are not diagnosed by FNAC usually proceed to either core biopsy or excisional lymph node biopsy, but recently FNAC has been reported to have a limited diagnostic value as it cannot provide tissues for histopathological diagnosis. On the other hand, core biopsy can provide tissues with less invasive techniques than surgical excisional biopsy.
Core biopsy involves sampling tissue with a wider gauge than used for FNAC. Core biopsy may be used as an alternative to surgical excisional lymph node biopsy as it would provide less risk to the patients as regards wound infection, scar, bleeding, accessory nerve injury and the risk of complications of general anesthesia. It also lowers the cost of hospital stay.