title: Usefulness of sonographic guidance during percutaneous biopsy of mesenteric masses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our study was to determine the usefulness of sonographic guidance for biopsy of mesenteric masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five sonographically guided percutaneous biopsies of mesenteric masses were performed in 23 patients. Biopsies were performed with an 18-, 20-, or 22-gauge self-aspirating needle or core biopsy device. Final pathology results and patient medical records were reviewed for biopsy accuracy and complications. A biopsy was considered successful if a specific benign or malignant diagnosis was rendered by the pathologist or if surgical-pathologic confirmation was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Open surgical biopsy was performed after sonographically guided biopsy in 13 patients and led to 12 concordant diagnoses (nine true-positives and three true-negatives) and one discordant diagnosis (false-negative). Specific pathologic diagnosis was rendered for the 10 percutaneous biopsies that were not confirmed by surgical biopsy: five biopsies matched known primary malignancies, consistent with metastases; four biopsies revealed primary tumors, and one biopsy revealed chronic inflammation (nine true-positives and one true-negative). Two biopsies were nondiagnostic because of insufficient material (n = 1) and necrotic tumor (n = 1). In the biopsies with diagnostic tissue specimens, sonographically guided biopsy achieved a sensitivity of 95% (18/19) and specificity of 100% (4/4) for allowing neoplastic tissue to be distinguished from nonneoplastic tissue. Complications included a mesenteric hematoma and abdominal wall cellulitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous biopsy of mesenteric masses is a useful and safe procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3808, Rm. 2526 Blue Zone S., Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fine
authors.forename: Erik K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Paulson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*