Computed tomographically guided biopsy of the spine.
METHODS
Efficacy of the percutaneous biopsy of the spine under computed tomographic guidance was investigated. Seventy-five patients, ranging in age from 7 to 72 years, underwent this procedure.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the usefulness of computed tomographically guided biopsies in the treatment of patients with spinal disorders.


BACKGROUND
The results of 68 biopsies (90.6%) were judged to be accurate insofar as the samples of tissue obtained could be diagnosed as specific types of neoplasm, infective lesions, reactive lesions of nonspecific type, or normal bone.


METHODS
Biopsies that yielded a specific abnormality were categorized as true positives. The "normal" biopsies were followed for 6-18 months and were then deemed true negatives. Nondiagnostic ones were considered false negatives.


RESULTS
The results are acceptable with an accuracy rate of 90.6%. It is a safe and simple procedure with a short learning curve.


CONCLUSIONS
Computed tomographically guided biopsy of the spine is recommended as a procedure of choice, especially in cervical and thoracic lesions. Computed tomography is superior to fluoroscopy when dealing with small, deep-seated lesions especially in the cervical and thoracic regions and with lesions picked up on bone scan only, radiographs being negative. Needle biopsy under computed tomographic guidance is safe and precise.
Babu
N V
NV
Department of Orthopaedics, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Velore, Tamilnadu, India.
Titus
V T
VT
Chittaranjan
S
S
Abraham
G
G
Prem
H
H
Korula
R J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed