title: CT fluoroscopic guidance for percutaneous needle placement into abdominopelvic lesions with difficult access routes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We wished to evaluate the utility of computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF) for guiding percutaneous abdominopelvic biopsies or fluid aspirations that are considered difficult with conventional computed tomographic (CT) guidance.
  
  
  METHODS
  CTF-guided percutaneous biopsy (n = 11) or fluid aspiration (n = 2) was attempted in 13 patients with lesions that were otherwise difficult or potentially unsafe by conventional CT guidance because they were deep to colon, small intestine, or major blood vessels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using CTF assistance to guide external compression or needle positioning, appropriate needle placement was performed in 11 patients. Biopsy or aspiration was diagnostic in 10 patients. Needle advancement was not attempted in two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTF appears to be a valuable tool to dynamically assist percutaneous needle placement into lesions that may be considered difficult with standard CT assistance.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Consultants of Iowa, PLC, 1948 1st Avenue, NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, USA.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Schweiger
authors.forename: V Y
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019152:Paracentesis; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010388:Pelvis; D011677:Punctures; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed