AKT-1700

A 42-year-old woman comes to the clinic with a left facial palsy. She reports that the weakness developed gradually over a few days. She is waiting for a referral to the hospital for a nodular swelling in the left parotid salivary gland, suspected to be caused by a stone. Her husband is currently taking oral aciclovir for shingles.

During the examination, a hard nodular mass is found over the tail of the left parotid gland, along with a lower motor neurone seventh nerve palsy.

What is the most appropriate next step?