T. Movin et al., ULTRASONOGRAPHY-GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS CORE BIOPSY IN ACHILLES-TENDON DISORDER, Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 7(4), 1997, pp. 244-248
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.