title: Novel use of ultrasound-guided endo-cavitary probe to evaluate an impalpable parapharyngeal mass.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present a novel, previously undescribed technique of obtaining a biopsy from an inaccessible parapharyngeal space mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Centre, University College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riskalla
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Flynn
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002341:Carotid Artery Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D019160:Endosonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*