Lean Neck Mass Clinic Model Reduces Time to Diagnosis

What are the benefits of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (USFNA) with on-site cytopathologic analysis for neck masses?

Background: Early diagnosis and management is critical for successful treatment in patients who present with neck masses as a sequela of malignancy. Utilizing lean management principles, the authors demonstrated that in-office USFNA with immediate on-site cytopathologic analysis at their lean neck mass clinic model optimized care quality and eliminated unnecessary diagnostic testing, return visits, and repeat procedures.

Study design: Retrospective cohort of 61 new patients over a one-year period.

Setting: Lean Neck Mass Clinic, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor.