Background: Lymphoma arises from transformed lymphoid cells. Although surgical excision biopsy is the standard diagnostic tool for patients with lymphoma, image-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or core needle biopsy (CNB) is considered an alternative diagnostic option.
Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) in patients with lymphoma.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. A literature search was performed up to January 1, 2024, using the Ovid-MELIBE and EMBASE databases to identify studies focusing on US-guided CNB in lymphoma patients. Relevant outcomes, including sensitivity, specificity, and complication rates, were extracted from the included studies. The Der-Simonian-Laird random-effects model was applied to analyze the pooled data.
Results: The pooled sensitivity of US-guided CNB in lymphoma patients was 94% (95% CI = 89%-96%), and the specificity was 100% (95% CI = 94%-100%). The pooled complication rate was 1% (95% CI = 0%-3%), with self-limiting complications being the most common.
Conclusion: US-guided CNB demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and low complication rates in patients with lymphoma, supporting its use as an alternative diagnostic tool.
Keywords: core needle biopsy; lymphoma; meta‐analysis; systematic review; ultrasound.
© 2025 The Author(s). Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.