title: Percutaneous needle biopsy of the spine.
abstract: The results of 75 percutaneous needle biopsies of the spine were analyzed. There were 8 cervical, 25 thoracic, 27 lumbar, and 15 sacral biopsies. An accurate diagnosis was made in 92% of all cases. Metastatic disease yielded the best accuracy rate (96%). The lowest accuracy rate (82%) was noted with benign primary tumors and fractures. The results were better in female patients than male (97% vs. 86%). Larger needles gave slightly better accuracy (97%). No relationship between accuracy and spine level was found. There were two complications: one pneumothorax and an episode of self-limited hemorrhage. Percutaneous needle biopsy is a safe and reliable method of obtaining a diagnosis in many different spine lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kattapuram
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Khurana
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D002648:Child; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology*