title: Percutaneous biopsy for prognostic testing of neuroblastoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether percutaneous biopsy can provide the diagnostic and prognostic information necessary to treat children with advanced neuroblastoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1991 through 1995, 21 percutaneous biopsies were performed in 20 children with advanced neuroblastoma by using 15- or 16-gauge core biopsy needles. An average of six samples were obtained. Since September 1994, fresh tissue was sent to the reference laboratory, where touch preparations were prepared for N-myc evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histologic confirmation and prognostic information (Shimada classification) were obtained in all cases. Genetic prognostic information was obtained in 19 patients (95%), DNA index (ploidy) in 18 (90%), N-myc gene expression in 14 (70%), and cytogenetic analysis in 10 (50%). N-myc and ploidy determinations were successful in all five biopsy specimens obtained since September 1994.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous biopsy of advanced neuroblastoma is a feasible alternative to open biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Hoffer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Diller
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kozakewich
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Shamberger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003582:Cytogenetics; D005260:Female; D016259:Genes, myc; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011003:Ploidies; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers