Mb. Esposito et al., ANTERIOR APPROACH FOR CT-GUIDED BIOPSY OF SKULL BASE AND PARAPHARYNGEAL SPACE LESIONS, Journal of computer assisted tomography, 20(5), 1996, pp. 739-741
At our institution we use an anterior approach to biopsy of the paraph
aryngeal space or skull base lesions because it provides more direct a
ccess than the traditional lateral approach through the mandibular not
ch. The anterior approach follows a course lateral to the alveolar rid
ge of the maxilla and lateral pterygoid plate, and inferior to the zyg
omatic process of the maxilla. Biopsy was performed on 15 patients wit
h either a skull base or a parapharyngeal space mass, none of which co
uld be palpated externally or through the oral cavity by the ear: nose
, and throat surgeon. In 12 patients the needle biopsy correlated with
the surgical pathology. Three needle biopsies were nondiagnostic.