MR-guided bone biopsy performed with a new coaxial drill system.

Purpose: To describe the development and clinical evaluation of a new, hand -powered or alternatively motor-driven, MRI and CT compatible percutaneous bone biopsy system. Materials and Methods: A new coaxial drill system (Cook Europe AIS) was designed for percutaneous, MB-guided bone biopsies and pow ered either by hand or an optional motor (10-250 rotations/minute using 6 b ar [88.2 PSI] compressed air). The system has been used in 23 patients. Fou rteen procedures were performed in a 1.5 T MR scanner (Phillips-Gyroscan AC S-NT) which has an attached C-arm (Philips-BV 212-Angio) in case fluoroscop y is required, and 9 procedures in a CT scanner (Siemens-Somatom Plus). Res ults: Driven by hand or by the pneumatic motor unit, the system achieved sa fe and accurate MR-guided access to all of the lesions and was even able to penetrate osteosclerotic lesions. MR- or CT-guided percutaneous biopsy yie lded a correct diagnosis in all but 5 cases. No procedural complications oc curred. Conclusion: MB-guided percutaneous bone biopsy performed with the n ew coaxial drill system was found to be safe and reliable, and suitable for obtaining histological specimens from skeletal lesions even when covered w ith thick cortical or sclerotic bone.