Clinicopathological Features of Patients Nominated for Head and Neck Biopsies: A One-Year Series

Abstract

Background

Head and neck lesions, which are predominantly benign, were widely reported. Some of these tumors are potentially neoplastic and others are non-neoplastic. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the clinicopathological features of patients nominated for head and neck biopsies.

Methodology

In this study, data regarding head and neck biopsies were retrieved from the Department of Pathology at King Khalid Hospital, Hai'l, Northern Saudi Arabia. Data referring to head and neck biopsies of patients who were diagnosed during the period from January 2018 to December 2018 were included.

Results

The initial clinical presentations were stated for 50/64 (78.1%) head and neck lesions, 12/64 (18.8%) head and neck cysts, 1/64 (1.6%) keloid, and 1/64 (1.6%) ischemia. With regard to the biopsy's site, most were taken from the nose followed by oral cavity, scalp, ear, face, and eye, constituting 19/64 (29.7%), 15/64 (23.4%), 9/64 (14.1%), 5/65 (7.8%), 4/64 (6.2%), and 3/64 (4.7%), respectively.

Conclusion

Head and neck benign lesions, predominantly inflammatory lesions, are common in Northern Saudi Arabia. Accurate identification of these lesions is important during histopathological diagnosis, as some have pathological features that mimic some potentially neoplastic lesions.