A fine needle biopsy (FNB) is a simple test that uses a thin needle to take small samples of tissue or fluid from unusual lumps or enlarged areas. It's quick and helps doctors find out if these lumps are harmless or something more serious like cancer. This procedure is often used for checking thyroid nodules, swollen lymph nodes, and issues with salivary glands.
At the Southern California Center for Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy in Palm Springs, we offer in-office fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to evaluate neck masses, thyroid nodules, salivary gland lesions, and lymph nodes.
This quick, highly accurate procedure helps diagnose abnormal tissue without the need for surgery, allowing our specialists to plan the most appropriate next steps for your care.
A Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) is a diagnostic procedure used to sample tissue from a lump or mass in areas like the neck, thyroid, or salivary glands.
Using a very thin needle, your ENT specialist extracts a small sample of cells for examination under a microscope. This allows for a prompt, detailed diagnosis—often without requiring more invasive surgical intervention.
The procedure is performed right in our Palm Springs office under local anesthesia.
Your provider uses ultrasound guidance to precisely locate the area of concern. Then, a very fine needle is inserted into the nodule or mass to collect a tissue sample. Most patients describe the sensation as a brief pinch or pressure. There are no stitches or incisions, and the entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes.
Fine needle biopsy helps diagnose a variety of head and neck conditions, including:
This test is essential in determining whether these abnormalities are benign or malignant, and guides your treatment plan accordingly.
FNAB is commonly performed on the thyroid gland, lymph nodes, salivary glands, and other palpable masses in the neck.
If you have a thyroid nodule, neck lump, or unexplained swelling, your ENT may recommend a fine needle biopsy to investigate further. Most patients are eligible, especially when imaging or physical exams reveal abnormalities that need clarification.
Recovery is quick and simple. After the procedure, you may experience mild soreness or bruising at the injection site, which typically resolves within 24–48 hours. Patients can resume normal activities the same day. Follow-up instructions will be provided based on the results and the treatment plan discussed with your doctor.
Initial results are typically available within 2–5 days, depending on the complexity of the tissue sample and the lab's processing capabilities.
The results guide either reassurance, additional testing, or treatment such as surgery or medical management. In cases of benign findings, no further intervention may be needed.
Most patients describe it as a brief sting or pressure. Local anesthesia ensures you're comfortable throughout the procedure.
No. The procedure uses a very fine needle and does not require incisions or stitches
Most results are available within a few days, depending on the type of analysis needed.
Yes, in most cases, no special preparation is needed, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
Your provider will discuss the results with you and create a clear treatment plan, which may involve further imaging, monitoring, or surgery.
Contact SoCal ENT in Palm Springs today to schedule your fine needle biopsy consultation and receive a precise diagnosis, ensuring peace of mind.
Yes. Most patients return to work or normal activities the same day.
