ULTRASONICALLY GUIDED ASPIRATION BIOPSY IN OSTEOLYTIC BONE-LESIONS OFTHE CHEST-WALL

Sixteen consecutive patients with one or more osteolytic bone lesions of the chest wall radiologically confirmed underwent ultrasonically gu ided aspiration biopsy. Nine patients (56.2 percent) had bronchogenic carcinoma with a direct extension. Other diagnostic techniques had fai led to diagnose disease in these patients. The lesion showed heterogen eous echogenicity (n = 16) caused by the hyperechoic signals of bone f ragments. The interruption of the cortex bone was detected in all case s and extraosseous tumor portion in 14 of 16 patients (87.5 percent). No respiratory motions of the lesion could be demonstrated (n = 16). D efinitive histologic diagnosis was made in 14 of the 16 patients (87.5 percent). In malignancy, diagnosis was established in 13 of 14 patien ts (92.8 percent). Of two confirmed benign lesions, one diagnosis of t uberculosis was obtained. No complication occurred. Sonography and con sequently ultrasonically guided aspiration biopsy are a useful, accura te, safe, and low-cost technique for osteolytic lesions in thoracic di seases.