Adequacy and Complications of CT-Guided Percutaneous Biopsy: A study of 334 Cases in Srinagarind Hospital
Vallop Laopaiboon MD, MSc*, Chalida Aphinives MD*, Kobkul Suporntreetriped MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To evaluate the adequacy and complications of automated biopsy gun under CT-guided percutane-
ous needle biopsy.
Material and Method: The medical records, radiological records, and images of 334 patients who underwent
CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsyin Srinagarind Hospital between January 2003 and June 2007 were
retrospectively reviewed. The biopsies were performed by two groups, radiologists (44 procedures) and
residents in training (290 procedures). The specimens were sent for histologic diagnosis. The immediate and
late complications from the biopsies and diagnostic adequacy were analyzed.
Results : Fifty, 215, and 69 patients underwent CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsies using 16, 18, and
20-gauge needles respectively. There was no statistically significant difference among the various needle
sizes with complication rate (p = 0.291). Three pneumothorax and one abdominal infection occurred after
procedures performed by residents. The overall diagnostic adequacy of the biopsy materials was low and
varied by size of needle, 52%, 61.4%, and 52.1%, respectively.
Conclusion : CT-guided needle biopsy using automated biopsy device is safe. The diagnostic adequacy in the
present series is low, probably caused by single histologic analysis. Some complications occurred after the
procedures are performed. Therefore, the authors recommend fellowship training in interventional radiology
or periodic post-residency training in image-guided biopsy. To optimize the diagnostic adequacy, the authors
suggest combined cytologic and histologic analysis from a single core biopsy sample.
Keywords : Biopsy, Needle, Complications, Radiography, Interventional, Tomography, X-ray computed
