CT-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of spinal lesions.
OBJECTIVE
A retrospective study of CT-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of spinal lesions performed over a period of 6 years was carried out with the aim of assessing the safety and efficacy of the procedure and to analyse the various approaches used.


METHODS
Ninety-three FNABs were performed in 87 patients, 4-70 years of age, under CT guidance. Lytic or mixed vertebral lesions with or without a paraspinal soft tissue component were included in the study. The approach depended on the anatomic region and part of the vertebra involved.


RESULTS
A definite cytological diagnosis was obtained in 77 patients (88.5%); of these, 47 patients had benign lesions and 30 patients had neoplasms. The most common pathologies encountered were tuberculosis (n=33) and metastases (n=17). There were 10 inconclusive FNABs; these showed blood only, necrotic material or scanty material insufficient for diagnosis. There were no procedure-related complications.


CONCLUSIONS
CT-guided FNAB is a safe and effective technique for the evaluation of spinal lesions and is helpful in planning therapy. Choosing the appropriate approach results in a low complication rate.
Kang
M
M
Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Gupta
S
S
Khandelwal
N
N
Shankar
S
S
Gulati
M
M
Suri
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed