Core needle biopsy for bone tumours

• Published in: European journal of surgical oncology 2001-11, Vol.27 (7), p.668-671
• Main Authors: Pramesh, C.S, Deshpande, M.S, Pardiwala, D.N, Agarwal, M.G, Puri, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy, Needle - instrumentation; Biopsy, Needle - methods; Bone Neoplasms - pathology; bone tumours; Child; Child, Preschool; core biopsy; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Jamshidi needle; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Tumors of striated muscle and skeleton
• ISSN: 0748-7983; 1532-2157
• DOI: 10.1053/ejso.2001.1198

Introduction: Percutaneous core biopsy of bone lesions provides early and definitive diagnosis and guides decisions on management. It is an inexpensive examination technique and has negligible complication rates. Methods: We performed a prospective study of 136 patients who underwent core biopsies for bone lesions over an 18-month period. A Jamshidi (J) needle was used to obtain a core of tissue and specimens were sent for histopathological examination. Biopsy results were analysed for adequacy, ability to yield diagnostic information and for accuracy of diagnosis. Results: The mean age of patients was 27.5 years with a range of 3–72 years. There were 84 males and 52 females in the study. Histopathological diagnosis was obtained in 121 (89%) patients. The specimen was non-diagnostic in 15 patients. Fourteen patients required two attempts and two patients required three attempts at biopsy. Sixty-two of 64 patients (96.9%) who had a confirmed final diagnosis had an accurate J-needle histopathological diagnosis. None of the patients had any major complications. Discussion: Core needle biopsy is an important tool in the evaluation of bone lesions. It is a safe, reliable and accurate procedure and yields diagnostic information in a high proportion of patients. It has several advantages over an open bone biopsy.