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IFHNOS 2026
Diagnostic Yield and Clinical Outcomes Over Five Years in a U.K. One-Stop Neck Lump Clinic
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Institution: Department of ENT. Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Charles Hastings Way. Worcester. United Kingdom. WR5 1DD - West Midlands, United Kingdom (Great Britain)

Aims Implementation of one-stop neck lump clinics (OSNLCs) have expanded over the last two decades. However, long term data reporting in literature is sparse with the majority of studies describing under 12 months of data collection. This study summarises data over five years of a successfully implemented OSNLC in a busy U.K. head and neck referral centre. Methodology The OSNLC in our unit is led by ENT surgeons and a dedicated head and neck sonographer working with a biomedical scientist to immediately determine the adequacy of aspirated samples. Yearly data (2019-2024) has been collected on the total number of patients assessed with neck ultrasound (US), including total number of fine needle aspirations (FNA) performed and the final diagnoses. Results A total of 2198 patients underwent ultrasound assessment in the OSNLC over the five-year period analysed, averaging 439.6 patients per year. FNA was performed in 45.0% cases (n = 990), of which the overall sampling inadequacy rate was 13.5%. The majority of patients assessed had a “normal neck” (n = 392), followed by non-pathological lymphadenopathy (n = 377). Malignancy comprised 15.2% (n = 334) of cases with metastatic SCC (n = 159) and lymphoma (n = 94) comprising the majority. Conclusion The OSNLC model is utilised effectively in U.K. head and neck centres. The OSNLC streamlines decision making pathways, preventing diagnostic delays in patients with suspected head and neck malignancy and avoiding unnecessary re-appointments. The successful implementation of the OSNLC in our unit is demonstrated by long-term data showing consistently high yield reporting.
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Mr Andrew Lotfallah - , Dr Kashika Singh - , Dr Raphaelle Beese - , Ms Jemma Butler - , Mr Keshav Gupta - , Ms Nicola Davidson - , Mr Peter Deutsch - , Mr Charles Daultrey - , Mr Christopher Ayshford -