ULTRASONOGRAPHY-GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS CORE BIOPSY IN ACHILLES-TENDON DISORDER

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous core biopsy technique was studied in 15 consecutive patients with chronic Achilles tendon disorder defined as persisting local pain during daily activities: localized pain and swe lling on palpation 2-5 cm proximal to the calcaneal insertion. Ultraso und verified widening of the tendon and low echogenous areas at the si te of pain. Percutaneous biopsies were takes from both the low echogen ous areas and the normoechogenic tendon tissue. Of 104 core biopsies 9 9 were representative. Open biopsies were taken from the macroscopical ly injured and normal tendon for comparison. Core and open biopsies of the low echogenous and macroscopically injured tendon showed similar histopatology. In 10 patients the core biopsy was performed under loca l anesthesia with limited subjective symptoms, Five of these patients were operated 18-41 days later. No adverse effect was found referring to the biopsy taken a few weeks prior to surgery. No complications occ urred. We conclude that the percutaneous core biopsy, guided by ultras ound and performed under local anesthesia, can be used under clinical and experimental in vivo studies for improving knowledge on pathoanato my and healing processes of the Achilles tendon.