title: The results of comparisons between CT-guided and fluoroscopic-guided spinal biopsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various methods have been described for biopsy of spinal lesions. In the past, fluoroscopes were used to guide the performance of biopsy of spinal lesions while computed tomography (CT) is now available in many hospitals. The purpose of the present study was to determine the rate of successful diagnosis of spinal biopsy by the CT-guided technique compared to the fluoroscopic-guided technique.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the success rate in diagnosis of vertebral disease and ensuing complications when using CT-guided and fluoroscopy-guided biopsy
  
  
  METHODS
  Two study groups were compared in order to establish their respective diagnostic success rates and complications. The CT-guided spinal biopsy group consisted of 10 patients (4 males, 6 females), and the fluoroscopic-guided spinal biopsy group was composed of 16 patients (6 males, 10 females).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CT-guided spinal biopsy showed a diagnostic rate of 80.0% compared to a rate of 81.3% achieved by the fluoroscopic-guided technique (p = 1.000). For thoracic vertebrae, the diagnostic rates were 100% and 62.5% respectively. The figures were not statistically significant (p = 0.491), but the CT group showed a tendency towards a higher rate of success. No complication was noted in any of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT-guided spinal biopsy in thoracic vertebrae had a higher success rate in the diagnosis of spinal lesion than the fluoroscopic-guided maneuver but the results were not statistically significant. In addition, the CT-guided technique was safer for the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand. somchai_cherd@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Somchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cherdchukiatsakul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed