Novel use of ultrasound-guided endo-cavitary probe to evaluate an impalpable parapharyngeal mass

We present a novel, previously undescribed technique of obtaining a biopsy from an inaccessible parapharyngeal space mass.

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.

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.