Comparison of core needle breast biopsy techniques: freehand versus three-dimensional US guidance

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: No single method is generally accepted for evaluating the accuracy of breast biopsy techniques before their clinical implementation. The purpose of this study was to test a new process for evaluating biopsy techniques by using it in the evaluation of a prototype three-dimensional ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The biopsy accuracy of a new three-dimensional US-guided breast biopsy device was compared to that of the accepted clinical practice of biopsy by expert radiologists with two-dimensional freehand US guidance. Biopsies were performed in chicken tissue phantoms containing 3.2-mm lesions made of poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel. The criterion for a successful biopsy was the presence of lesion in the sample. The equivalence limit difference tested was 10% by using a power of 90% and a two-sided test significance level, a, of 10%. RESULTS: The biopsy success rate of the three-dimensional US-guided system (96%) was equivalent to that of expert radiologists using two-dimensional freehand US guidance (94.5%) in tissue phantoms containing poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel lesions. CONCLUSION: This evaluation procedure is a valuable precursor to clinical trials in the assessment of biopsy techniques. The three-dimensional US-guided breast biopsy system provides a suitable alternative to two-dimensional freehand US guidance for biopsy of breast cancer.     

Diagnostic accuracy and safety of CT-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in cavitary pulmonary lesions

Objective

CT-guided transthoracic biopsy is a well-established method in the cytologic or histologic diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. The knowledge of its diagnostic performance and complications for cavitary pulmonary lesions is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and safety of CT-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in cavitary pulmonary lesions.

Materials and methods

102 consecutive patients with pulmonary cavitary lesions received CT-guided FNAB with use of an 18-gauge (n = 35) or 20-gauge (n = 67) Chiba for histology diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of FNAB were calculated as compared with the final diagnosis. Complications associated with FNAB were observed. The diagnostic accuracy and complications were compared between patients with different lesion sizes and different cavity wall thickness.

Results

The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNAB were 96.3%, 98.0%, and 96.1%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnosis accuracy in different lesion size (<2 cm vs ≥2 cm), or different cavity wall thickness (<5 mm vs ≥5 mm) were not different (P > 0.05; 0.235). More nondiagnostic sample was found in wall thickness <5 mm lesions (P = 0.017). Associated complications included pneumothorax in 9 (8.8%) patients and alveolar hemorrhage in 14 patients (13.7%) and hemoptysis in 1 patient (1%). No different rate of complications was found with regard to lesion size, wall thickness, length of the needle path and needle size (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

CT-guided FNAB can be effectively ad safely used for patients with pulmonary cavitary lesions.     

CT-guided transthoracic cutting needle biopsy of intrathoracic lesions: comparison between coaxial and single needle technique

Purpose

To evaluate the complication rates and diagnostic accuracy of two different CT-guided transthoracic cutting needle biopsy techniques: coaxial method and single needle method.

Methods

This study involved 198 consecutive subjects with 198 intrathoracic lesions. The first 98 consecutive subjects received a single needle cutting technique and the next 100 consecutive subjects received a coaxial technique. Both groups were compared in relation the diagnostic accuracy and complication rates.

Results

No significant difference was found between the two groups concerning patient characteristics, lesions and procedure variables. There was a borderline statistical difference in the incidence of pneumothorax at within 24-h post biopsy between patients in the single needle group (5%) and the coaxial group (13%) (P = 0.053). Little difference was found in the pneumothorax rate at immediately post biopsy between the two groups, which was 28% in the single needle group and 31% in the coaxial group. There was no significant difference in the hemoptysis rate between the two groups, which was 9.2% in the single needle group and 11% in the coaxial group. Both techniques yielded an overall diagnostic accuracy of 98% for malignant lesions with similar sensitivity (single needle: 96.9% vs. coaxial: 96.4%) and specificity (single needle: 100% vs. coaxial: 100%).

Conclusion

There is little difference in the pneumothorax rates and bleeding complications between patients who either received a single needle or a coaxial transthoracic cutting biopsy. Both techniques produce an overall diagnostic accuracy of 98% for malignant lesions.     

System for prostate brachytherapy and biopsy in a standard 1.5 T MRI scanner.

A technique for transperineal high-dose-rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy and needle biopsy in a standard 1.5 T MRI scanner is demonstrated. In each of eight procedures (in four patients with intermediate to high risk localized prostate cancer), four MRI-guided transperineal prostate biopsies were obtained followed by placement of 14-15 hollow transperineal catheters for HDR brachytherapy. Mean needle-placement accuracy was 2.1 mm, 95% of needle-placement errors were less than 4.0 mm, and the maximum needle-placement error was 4.4 mm. In addition to guiding the placement of biopsy needles and brachytherapy catheters, MR images were also used for brachytherapy treatment planning and optimization. Because 1.5 T MR images are directly acquired during the interventional procedure, dependence on deformable registration is reduced and online image quality is maximized.     

Technical note: Percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy using a modified coaxial technique

A modified coaxial technique for the biopsy of small or deeply situated lesions using computed tomographic (CT) guidance is described. A 22-gauge needle was passed coaxially through an outer 18-gauge introducing needle and aspiration biopsy was performed. This modified coaxial technique allows for multiple biopsies to be obtained safely, expeditiously, and repeatedly.     

An MRI-compatible semiautomated vacuum-assisted breast biopsy system: initial feasibility study

PURPOSE: To develop an MR-compatible vacuum-assisted core needle breast biopsy system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A vacuum-assisted breast biopsy system (Mammotome Hand Held; Ethicon Endo-Surgery, USA) was modified for freehand MRI-guided biopsy in an open, interventional 0.5-T scanner (Signa SP; GE, USA). Probes (11 gauge [G]) were fabricated without significant susceptibility artifact. These mate with an electromechanical hand piece and control system that were modified for use within the MRI scanner. A total of 62 breast lesions were simulated in the mammary tissues of six recently lactating sows by injecting between 0.1 and 1.0 mL of an aqueous gel containing dilute gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) that formed a bright mass on T1-weighted imaging. RESULTS: Mechanical performance was satisfactory. Magnetic susceptibility and radiofrequency (RF) artifacts from the 11-G probe were negligible. T1-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) was used to guide biopsy. Up to eight samples were removed per lesion. Overall, 461 samples were obtained in 493 attempts (94%). Sample weights averaged 54 mg (N = 493) compared to 4.6 mg (N = 24) from 14-G titanium MRI-compatible needles. On average, 59% of the attempted samples yielded target lesion material. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of a vacuum-assisted breast biopsy system in the MRI environment. Small 0.1-mL lesions can be biopsied without needle artifacts obscuring the target.     

Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma: use of MRI to guide needle biopsy

AIM: To describe the use of MRI to identify and biopsy areas of dedifferentiation in patients with a suspected diagnosis of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Low-grade chondrosarcoma is characterized at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as having a lobulate, hyperintense appearance on T2-weighted spin-echo sequences. T2-weighted MR images were assessed in 15 patients with a final pathological diagnosis of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma for regions of atypical reduced signal intensity. Information regarding the site of ultrasound or computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy was available in 10 cases. RESULTS: Nine patients were male and six female with a mean age of 60 years (range 25-77 years). The sites involved were the distal femur (n+4) pelvis (n=3) proximal femur (n=4) femoral diaphysis (n=1) proximal humerus (n=2) and proximal tibia (n=1). The dedifferentiated component consisted of osteosarcoma (n=5) malignant fibrous histiocytoma (n=6) spindle cell sarcoma (n=1) leiomyosarcoma (n=1) and pleomorphic sarcoma (n=1). In 14 of the 15 cases, areas of lower signal intensity lacking in lobulation were identified. In nine of the 10 cases, biopsy site included such areas and yielded high-grade sarcoma. CONCLUSIONS: Dedifferentiation within chondrosarcoma may be identified on T2-weighted MRI as areas of reduced signal intensity. These areas should be the preferred site of biopsy.     

Prospective stereotaxy: a novel method of trajectory alignment using real-time image guidance

PURPOSE: To describe prospective stereotaxy, a novel method of trajectory alignment that works in real-time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective stereotaxy was used in minimally-invasive neurosurgical procedures in 74 patients since February 1999. This methodology differs from framed and frameless stereotaxy, both of which are based on retrospective data. Rather, prospective stereotaxy uses real-time MR images to align a surgical trajectory. RESULTS: Phantom tests and clinical procedures in all patients were successfully performed using prospective stereotaxy. In all cases, surgical targets were accessed, and the diagnostic yield of neurobiopsy using prospective stereotaxy was 100%. CONCLUSION: Prospective stereotaxy is applicable to all cross-sectional imaging, and is particularly useful for MR- and CT-guided interventions. The method is simple, reproducible, and accurate in surgical targeting for neurobiopsy and electrode placement. It does not require cumbersome stereotactic frames or expensive optical detectors, and it offers immediate entry into the field of interventional MR with cylindrical MR scanners.     

Pseudoaneurysm after an ultrasound-guided breast core needle biopsy in a lactating woman

This is a case report of a lactating woman in her twenties diagnosed with a breast pseudoaneurysm following a 14-gauge ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy detected by a Color Doppler exam, and treated with surgery. Further discussion concerning the patient’s symptoms, useful imaging modalities, and treatment options are included. Knowledge on this complication is crucial for the correct diagnosis and best management and treatment.     

骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变CT引导下穿刺活检与手术病理对照研究

目的CT引导下经皮穿刺活检骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变与手术病理对照研究,评价CT引导下穿刺活检术的诊断价值。方法CT引导下经皮穿刺活检骨骼病变,选择其中经手术病理诊断为骨肿瘤或肿瘤样病变的病例362例,将2种方法进行对照。结果362例穿刺针均在位,穿刺均获成功,并获得穿刺病理诊断及手术病理诊断,其中285例穿刺结果与手术病理相符,77例不相符,其组织学定性的准确率为78.7%（285/362）。结论CT引导下经皮穿刺活检对于骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变的诊断具有重要临床应用价值,是安全有效的检查方法。但是实际工作中应该采取临床、影像和病理相结合的科学分析。     

Diagnostic performance of percutaneous core needle lung biopsy under multi-CT fluoroscopic guidance for ground-glass opacity pulmonary lesions

Objective

The diagnostic performance of percutaneous core needle lung biopsy under multi-CT fluoroscopic guidance for ground-glass opacity (GGO) pulmonary lesions was evaluated.

Materials and methods

Out of 90 patients who underwent CT fluoroscopy-guided core needle biopsy of GGO lesions at our institution, the biopsy results and the final diagnoses were retrospectively compared in 67 patients with available data (one lesion per patient). Diagnostic performance was also compared according to the lesion size (≤10 mm (n = 8) versus 11-20 mm (n = 42) versus >20 mm (n = 17)), the percentage of GGO component (50-90% (n = 31) versus >90% (n = 36)), and the length of needle path (≤7 cm (n = 45) versus >7 cm (n = 22)). Finally, all 90 cases were reviewed for complications.

Results

The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 97%, 100%, and 97%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy tended to be lower in smaller lesions (≤10 mm; 86 and 88%, 11-20 mm; 97 and 98%, >20 mm; 100 and 100%, respectively, p > 0.05), and in lesions with lower percentage of GGO component (50-90%; 93 and 94%, >90%; 100 and 100%, respectively, p = 0.21), but statistical significances were not reached. The sensitivity and accuracy were not significantly affected by the length of needle path (≤7 cm; 98 and 98%, >7 cm; 95 and 96%, respectively, p = 1.00). Fourteen patients (16%) developed pneumothoraces, and 13 patients (14%) experienced mild hemoptysis, all of which resolved conservatively.

Conclusion

The diagnostic performance was satisfactory, and it was considered that the procedure was appropriate for GGO lesions regardless of lesion size, the percentage of GGO component, or the length of needle path. The procedure was also feasible without any major complications.     

超声引导下穿刺活检的临床应用（423例资料的分析总结）

目的：开展超声引导下穿刺活检以用于临床诊断,方法：用超声引导下细针穿刺抽吸活检（ｆｉｎｅ－ｎｅｅｄｌｅａｓｐｉｒａｔｉｏｎ,ＦＮＡ）５６处病变和活检枪自动切割活检（ａｕｔｏｍａｔｉｃｃｏｒｅ－ｎｅｅｄｌｅｂｉｏｐｓｙ,ＡＣＮＢ）３７９处病变。１８个月内共检查４２３例４３５处病变,取材部位涉及除颅脑以外的全身深浅部各种脏器及软组织。结果：ＡＣＮＢ的取材质量,成功率（９８．７％）,显著高于ＦＮＡ（８９     

Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of non-palpable breast lesions: a prospective analysis in 204 cases

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic value of ultrasound (US)-guided 14 G core needle breast biopsy in non-palpable suspicious breast lesions.

Material and Methods: From August 1997 to April 2001, 198 patients with 204 suspicious non-palpable breast lesions underwent US-guided large core needle biopsy. Biopsies were performed with a free-hand technique using US equipment with a 7.5 MHz linear-array transducer; a minimum of three cores were obtained from each lesion. Pathological findings in US-guided core biopsy were correlated to findings in subsequent surgery or long-term (more than 2 years) imaging follow-up.

Results: Among the 204 non-palpable breast lesions for which histopathological findings were obtained by US-guided core biopsy, 118 were malignant (114 carcinoma, 2 metastasis, 1 lymphoma, and 1 malignant phyllodes tumor) and 86 were benign (4 carcinoma and 82 benign lesions confirmed at surgery or after at least 2 years of follow-up). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for diagnosis of malignancy in our series were 97%, 100%, 100%, and 95%, respectively. Diagnostic yield with 1, 2, 3, and 4 specimens per lesion was 73.5%, 88%, 94%, and 97.5%, respectively.

Conclusion: US-guided core needle biopsy is a sensitive percutaneous biopsy method for diagnosing non-palpable breast lesions. To achieve a high diagnostic yield, a minimum number of three cores per lesion is advisable.     

Ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy of the pancreas: smear cytology versus microhistology

Percutaneous fine needle biopsy (FNB), under sonographic guidance, of local pancreatic lesions was studied by comparing the results of smear cytology (SC) with microhistology (MH) in 34 patients in whom both sampling procedures were carried out. MH suffered from a higher number of inadequate samples (retrieval rate: 94.1% SC, 85.3% MH), but reached a superior sensitivity rate as regard to the diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy (91.7% MH, 80.8% SC). Both samples obtained an absolute specificity rate (100%. A 96.3% sensitivity rate was obtained by combination of the two techniques in the absence of complications. Thus, the combined use of SC and MH in pancreatic fine needle biopsy was proven to be a safe and reliable procedure.