title: Sonographically guided percutaneous needle biopsy of soft tissue masses with histopathologic correlation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of sonographically guided percutaneous core biopsy of soft tissue masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent sonographically guided biopsy of soft tissue masses at our institution during a 50-month period. Core biopsy histopathologic results were compared with surgical or clinical follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred eighty-three patients, 76 male and 107 female, with a mean age of 48.5 years were included in the study. Thirteen patients had more than 1 biopsy, and the total number of biopsies performed was 196. Five patients were lost to follow-up. Biopsy results were diagnostically accurate in 174 (91%) cases. Thirteen biopsies were inconclusive. No complications occurred. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy in separating malignant from benign lesions were 97%, 99%, 99%, and 98%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sonographically guided core needle biopsy is an accurate and safe means to obtain tissue samples for the histopathologic diagnosis of soft tissue masses. It obviates the need for open biopsy and should be performed routinely for treatment planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Rambam Medical Center, Ha'aliya Hashniya 8, 31096 Haifa, Israel. m_soudack@rambam.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Michalle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soudack
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nachtigal
authors.forename: Euvgeni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vladovski
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brook
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gaitini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography