Is there an exception to every test...yes. For sure a fine needle biopsy is highly dependent on the operator collecting enough material to include malignant cells. This may involve several punctures within the node, and even then, as in your case, it may not hit a hot spot. My point is simply that patients should try the least invasive procedure which will give them the quickest results (in 24 hours in this case). If that node is a malignant metastasis, and the FNB finds it, you have eliminated a general anesthesia procedure, and know this week if something is there. Ceretainly taking out the whole node will guarantee that you won't miss those malignant cells. FNB's are not infallable, but then neither is an mri, pet scan, CT etc. Everyone of these is dependent on someone reading it correctly, the contrast medium lighting it up, etc. etc. FNB's have provven themsleves to be a valuable tool for many years. They take 5 min, they are inexpensive, and if done correctly, (collecting enough material) they can be highly accurate. 100%? No. I am always wary of anyone who wants to cut first.......unless they have significant suspicions from other symptoms that are fingers pointing at a potential diagnosis.

Also to Sigrid (since you are probably following this thread): I have tried to respond to your private message or send you an email in relationship to your question. You have the prevent private message and email buttons selected in your profile and I can not write to you.