Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Trucut Needle Biopsy for Musculoskeletal Tumours

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound guidance in percutaneous needle biopsy for musculoskeletal tumours. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive patients underwent ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. An additional group of 50 patients who underwent needle biopsy without ultrasound guidance was retrospectively selected as historical control. The sample was considered adequate when a diagnosis can be made, and diagnostic when the diagnosis is similar to the final report based on the excised tumour. RESULTS: Adequacy of the biopsy samples was 84% in ultrasound-guided group as compared 76% in the group with no ultrasound guidance. Diagnostic accuracy was 64% in the ultrasound-guided group and 52% in the group without ultrasound guidance. Both of these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance did not provide a significant advantage in the biopsy of musculoskeletal tumours. Diagnostic accuracy seems to improve with the use of larger 14 gauge biopsy needle but further evaluation is necessary.

Keywords

• Ultrasound
• Core needle biopsy
• Soft tissue neoplasm
• Diagnosis