title: Biopsy of the spine using a needle with a rigid guide wire.
abstract: Biopsy of the spine is a potentially valuable investigation but suitable instruments and experience are difficult to obtain. The paper gives a detailed account of a trephine biopsy set which incorporates a rigid guide wire. Selection of cases, possible complications and difficulties encountered are described. The method used has proved safe; the proportion of successful biopsies depends on the nature of the cases selected for biopsy as well as the skill and experience of the operator.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging