Technique and results of CT-guided percutanous bone biopsy

Purpose. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and results o f CT-guided percutanous bone biopsy (PBB) of unknown bone lesions in a repr esentative number of patients. Methods. In 92 patients (100 biopsies) with different bone lesions CT-guide d PBB was performed. Results. The rate of technical success, defined as a successful retrieval o f a sufficient tissue sample which then was sent for histological evaluatio n, was 89% (89/100 biopsies). The diagnostic accuracy was defined as a clin ically useful histological result and was obtained in 80% (80/100 biopsies) . Minor complications (minimal bleedings) occurred in 3% of all biopsies, n o special therapy was necessary. Osteolytic lesions (92%) were classified m ore accurately by PBB than osteoplastic (80%) or mixed lesions (67%). Consi dering the anticipated dignity of the lesions prior to PBB, the suspected m alignant bone lesions had a better diagnostic accuracy of 82% than the susp ected benign bone lesions with an accuracy of 50%. Conclusion. Due to its universal availability combined with a low risk and a high diagnostic value the PBB of unknown bone lesions can be regarded as a valuable diagnostic tool. However, leave-me-alone lesions should be exclu ded.