title: Percutaneous computed-tomography-guided biopsy of the spine: 229 procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Percutaneous biopsy of the spine is an effective and well-evaluated procedure. Only very few series containing more than a hundred patients have been reported so far and there is no agreement about the factors affecting the diagnostic rate. We aimed to find out if there is any factor influencing the success rate of the spinal biopsy using our biopsy series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and twenty-nine procedures were performed in 201 patients between November 2001 and August 2005. All procedures were performed under computed tomography guidance. The side was chosen according to the extension of the lesion. When the lesion was in the midline or extended to both sides, we preferred to obtain biopsy from the right side. The puncture point and the needle trajectory were planned on both lateral computed tomography scout scan and axial scans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the diagnostic rate was not affected by the variables such as age, gender, type and diameter of the biopsy needle, diagnosis as well as lesion localization and level. The success rate of the repeat biopsies was considerably lower than the first procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic rate is not affected by any of the variables but the approach, chosen can vary with the level, localization, and lesion characteristics.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. hsucu@yahoo.com
authors: Hasan Kamil
authors: HK
authors: Sucu
authors: Canan
authors: C
authors: Ciçek
authors: Türkan
authors: T
authors: Rezanko
authors: Hamdi
authors: H
authors: Bezircioğlu
authors: Yusuf
authors: Y
authors: Erşahin
authors: Mine
authors: M
authors: Tunakan
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Minoğlu