title: Diagnostic challenge of a deep minor salivary gland neoplasm.
abstract: Core needle biopsy represents a safe and cheap alternative diagnostic method to open biopsy and fine-needle aspiration cytology in head and neck tumors. There is little evidence in the literature about the use of core needle biopsy in minor salivary gland lesions. This single case report presents a 60-year-old woman with a painless swelling in the soft palate, breathing and swallowing difficulties, and a feeling of suffocation. Two open biopsies had inconclusive diagnosis and the lesion could only be assessed and diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma through core needle biopsy. Recognizing the correct indication of core needle biopsy can benefit both health professionals and patients; thus, it is important to consider the possibility of performing this method to diagnose minor salivary gland tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Dental School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2492, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vivian P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Dental School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2492, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manoela D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA/UFRGS), Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-903 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Genari
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA/UFRGS), Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-903 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: do Amaral
authors.affiliation: Departement of Radiology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA/UFRGS), Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-903 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônio C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA/UFRGS), Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-903 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco A T
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA/UFRGS), Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-903 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Munerato