Polyethylene sheath device to reduce tumor cell seeding along the needle tract in percutaneous biopsy.
BACKGROUND
Minimally invasive techniques such as percutaneous biopsy of suspected malignancies are used widely. Besides bleeding, tumor cell seeding along the needle or instrument tract is of concern.


METHODS
We have developed a polyethylene-sheath device (PSD) to reduce the risk of cell spread when withdrawing a biopsy instrument. The mechanism was tested for its feasibility with a model taking biopsies from lamb liver presoaked with fluorescein dye underneath a specimen of lamb muscle.


RESULTS
Fluorescence microscopic examination did not demonstrate fluorescent dye along the needle tract when the PSD was used, whereas there was marked staining in controls. The PSD was intact after having been used to perform the biopsies.


CONCLUSIONS
The PSD reduces the risk of cell spread along instrument tracts.
Woitzik
J
J
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
Krauss
J K
JK
D000818:Animals; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D020959:Polyethylene; D012756:Sheep
D020959:Polyethylene