Image-guided percutaneous biopsy of musculoskeletal lesions in children.
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB) of musculoskeletal lesions can provide early and definitive diagnosis and guide decisions on management. The technique is less invasive than open biopsy and has a low complication rate.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy and safety of image-guided PCNB of musculoskeletal lesions in children.


METHODS
Retrospective review of the medical records of patients referred for PCNB of musculoskeletal lesions was performed. Data collected included tumor type and complication rates. Lesion "hit" or "missed", and core adequacy and ability to reach a definitive pathological diagnosis were reviewed and used to determine whether the biopsy was overall successful or unsuccessful.


RESULTS
A total of 127 biopsies were performed in 111 patients. Of the 127 PCNB procedures, 114 "hit" the lesion and 13 "missed," and 120 of the cores provided for analysis were deemed adequate for pathological interpretation and 7 were deemed inadequate. A definitive pathological diagnosis was possible in 97 of the 127 PCNB preocedures and not possible in 30. Overall 76% of the PCNB procedures were successful. The diagnostic success of biopsy in primary malignant tumors was significantly higher (92%) than in primary benign tumors (65%; P=0.008). Six minor complications resulted from PCNB.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that PCNB is accurate and safe for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal lesions in pediatric patients, and its results are comparable to those in adult studies.
Shin
Hyun-Joon
HJ
Division of Image Guided Therapy, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.
Amaral
Joao G
JG
Armstrong
Derek
D
Chait
Peter G
PG
Temple
Michael J
MJ
John
Philip
P
Smith
Charles R
CR
Taylor
Glenn
G
Connolly
Bairbre L
BL
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D019042:Muscle Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional