Sonographically guided core needle biopsy of cervical lymphadenopathy in patients without known malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of sonographically guided core needle biopsy (core biopsy) for diagnosing the causes of cervical lymphadenopathy in patients without known malignancy. METHODS: One hundred fifty-five sonographically guided core biopsies performed in 155 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy were retrospectively evaluated. None of the 155 patients had any known primary malignancy. Final diagnoses were determined by the histologic examination from excision biopsy when performed or by the clinical and sonographic follow-up for more than 12 months. When a lymph node diagnosed as benign by sonographically guided core biopsy regressed spontaneously or by subsequent management, the diagnosis made by the sonographically guided core biopsy was considered correct. When a lymph node diagnosed as benign by sonographically guided core biopsy was unchanged or increased in size with subsequent management, excision biopsy was performed. Diagnostic yield, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and complications of core biopsy were evaluated. RESULTS: Histologic diagnosis could be made by sonographically guided core biopsy in 146 (94%) of the 155 patients. The histologic diagnoses were reactive hyperplasia in 44 patients, tuberculosis in 37, Kikuchi disease in 25, metastasis in 16, lymphoma in 16, normal in 7, and toxoplasmosis in 1. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of sonographically guided core biopsy were 97.9%, 99.1%, and 97.9%, respectively. There were no procedure-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographically guided core biopsy is a safe and efficient tool for diagnosing the cause of cervical lymphadenopathy in patients without known malignancy and may obviate unnecessary excisional biopsy.     

Sonographically guided percutaneous needle biopsy of soft tissue masses with histopathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of sonographically guided percutaneous core biopsy of soft tissue masses. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent sonographically guided biopsy of soft tissue masses at our institution during a 50-month period. Core biopsy histopathologic results were compared with surgical or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three patients, 76 male and 107 female, with a mean age of 48.5 years were included in the study. Thirteen patients had more than 1 biopsy, and the total number of biopsies performed was 196. Five patients were lost to follow-up. Biopsy results were diagnostically accurate in 174 (91%) cases. Thirteen biopsies were inconclusive. No complications occurred. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy in separating malignant from benign lesions were 97%, 99%, 99%, and 98%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographically guided core needle biopsy is an accurate and safe means to obtain tissue samples for the histopathologic diagnosis of soft tissue masses. It obviates the need for open biopsy and should be performed routinely for treatment planning.     

正电子发射型断层成像在胃恶性肿瘤诊断中的作用

目的:评价正电子发射型断层扫描(PET)技术在胃恶性肿瘤中的诊断价值并与CT对照。方法:32例可疑胃恶性肿瘤患者术前行PET全身显像,22例行CT检查,将以上结果和病理分期对照。结果:32例中,25例为恶性肿瘤,7例为良性病变。18F-FDG-PET半定量分析对原发病灶的诊断敏感性、特异性分别为84%、5/7。CT对胃恶性肿瘤原发病灶诊断敏感性、特异性分别为88.9%和4/5。PET、CT对恶性肿瘤转移淋巴结检测准确率分别为80%和76.5%。PET、CT对远处转移病灶的诊断准确率分别为7/8和2/7。结论:PET对胃恶性肿瘤局部病灶和远处转移病灶检测较为敏感,在临床诊断有较高的应用价值。     

Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Diffuse and Punctate Cervical Lymph Node Calcifications

Objective. The purpose of this series was to show the sonographic appearance of calcified cervical lymph nodes and the utility of sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the setting of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods. Two cases of confirmed metastatic SCC to cervical lymph nodes were identified. Sonography and sonographically guided FNAB were performed in both cases with positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) correlation. Results. In case 1, sonography identified a diffusely calcified, avascular cervical lymph node. Positron emission tomography/CT suggested granulomatous disease as a cause for hypermetabolism; however, sonographically guided FNAB identified metastatic SCC. In the second case, FNAB initially performed without sonographic guidance did not show malignancy. Subsequent FNAB with sonographic guidance identified an abnormal cervical lymph node with focal calcifications and internal color Doppler flow. Metastatic SCC was diagnosed on histopathologic examination. Subsequent PET/CT confirmed multiple punctate calcifications in a hypermetabolic lymph node. Conclusions. Calcifications in cervical lymph nodes from metastatic SCC are very rare. These 2 cases show the variable sonographic appearances and the utility of sonographically guided FNAB in establishing the correct diagnosis.     

Comparison between 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography hardware fusion for staging of patients with lymphoma.

PURPOSE: 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-Glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) stages patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with higher accuracy than computed tomography (CT). We sought to determine whether integrated (hardware) fused PET/CT imaging results in further improvements in staging accuracy. PROCEDURES: Seventy-three patients (age 51 +/- 17 years, 37 female, 36 male) with HD (n = 20) or NHL (n = 53) undergoing staging were studied with an integrated PET/CT system. Image findings were verified by clinical follow up, additional imaging and when available, histology. RESULTS: Thirty-four of 73 patients (46.5%) had evidence of disease and 39 were disease free as confirmed by clinical evaluation and follow-up for 41 +/- 22 weeks (n = 73), including biopsy (n = 26), and other imaging modalities (n = 52) when available. A discordant image interpretation between PET and PET/CT occurred in seven patients (10%). PET/CT correctly upstaged two and downstaged five patients. Overall staging was accurate in 93% with PET/CT and 84% with PET (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Lymphoma is staged with higher accuracy using PET/CT than PET alone.     

Incremental value of CT in PET/CT of patients with colorectal carcinoma

Background: We assessed the contribution of dedicated computed tomographic (CT) interpretation to the accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) plus CT in imaging patients with suspected primary or metastatic colorectal carcinoma.Methods: One hundred PET/CT scans in 90 consecutive patients were evaluated retrospectively. Imaging was performed on a GE Discovery LS PET/CT scanner. PET images were obtained from the skull base through the midthigh after intravenous administration of 15 to 20 mCi of [¹⁸F] fluorine-18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose. Noncontrast axial CT images were obtained at the same anatomic locations, with 140 kV, 80 mA, 0.8 s/CT rotation, a pitch of 6, and a table speed of 22.5 mm/s. The CT component of the PET/CT study was reviewed independently by consensus of two blinded readers. Scans were evaluated for the presence of primary disease, local recurrence, and distant metastases. Results were compared with the PET/CT report. The gold standard was clinical and imaging follow-up for at least 6 months, surgery, or biopsy.Results: The study included 40 males and 50 females, with a mean age of 63 years (range, 31–92 years). The indications for the examination were to evaluate for recurrence of colorectal cancer in 83 cases, determine disease spread in 15 cases, and evaluate for possible primary malignancy in two cases with rising carcinoembryonic antigen. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the PET/CT report and of the combined PET/CT with dedicated CT interpretation were 0.914, 0.633, and 0.830 and 0.986, 1.000, and 0.980, respectively. The difference between PET/CT and the combined PET/CT with dedicated CT interpretation with respect to accuracy was statistically significant (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The CT portion of PET/CT provides valuable anatomic and pathologic information to the functional information provided by PET and helps improve the overall accuracy of the combined study.     

Utility of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Patients with Fever of Unknown Origin Diagnosed as Lymphoma

Objective

To assess the efficacy of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET)/computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO), who were finally diagnosed as lymphoma.

Subjects and Methods

A retrospective study was performed in the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine of Zhejiang University, China, from March 2009 to March 2012. The PET/CT images of consecutive patients with FUO were analyzed. Within 1 week of PET/CT scanning, additional histological tests were also performed if clinically needed.

Results

A total of 73 consecutive patients were included. Of these, 34 (47s%) had a PET/CT finding suggestive of the presence of lymphoma and 29 (85s%) had a diagnosis of confirmed lymphoma; 39 (53s%) had a PET/CT result revealing the absence of lymphoma and 4 (10s%) were diagnosed by biopsy as having lymphoma. The most frequent lymphoma diagnosis was peripheral T cell lymphoma (n = 16; 55s%), followed by diffuse large B cell lymphoma (n = 9; 31s%). The accuracy of PET/CT was 88s%.

Conclusion

In this study, PET/CT had high diagnostic accuracy in patients with FUO resulting from lymphoma, which indicated that PET/CT scanning was a valuable diagnostic tool for these groups of patients with FUO.Key Words: Fever of unknown origin, Positron emission tomography, Computed tomography, Diagnosis, Lymphoma     

Focal fibrosis of the breast diagnosed by a sonographically guided core biopsy of nonpalpable lesions: imaging findings and clinical relevance.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of focal fibrosis of the breast diagnosed by a sonographically guided core biopsy of nonpalpable lesions, to characterize imaging features, and to evaluate their clinical relevance. METHODS: In a retrospective review of 724 lesions that underwent sonographically guided core biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions, 62 cases had a diagnosis of focal fibrosis. Two radiologists analyzed the sonographic and mammographic findings according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. The results were compared with histologic findings at surgery or imaging findings during surveillance. RESULTS: The incidence of focal fibrosis was 8.6% (62/724). Sonographic films were available in 56 cases, so 56 cases were reviewed for their sonographic findings. Among the mammograms reviewed, 64.7% (33/51) had negative findings. Among the sonograms reviewed, the most common features were oval shape (32/56, 57.1%), parallel orientation (36/56, 64.3%), microlobulated margin (24/56, 42.9%), abrupt interface (50/56, 89.3%), isoechoic pattern (42/56, 75.0%), and a lack of posterior acoustic features (45/56, 80.4%). The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System final assessment was category 3 in 27 (48.2%) and category 4 in 29 (51.8%). Most of the category 4 lesions were category 4A (26/29, 89.7%). Surgical excision (n = 7) and follow-up for at least 1 year (n = 49) showed no malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Focal fibrosis was found in 8.6% by a sonographically guided core biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions. Most of the lesions were categorized as probably benign (category 3) or having a low suggestion of malignancy (category 4A). Focal fibrosis diagnosed at core biopsy can be managed with a 6-month follow-up protocol.     

~(18)F-FDG PET/CT在皮肤淋巴瘤中的初步应用

目的皮肤淋巴瘤是较常见的结外淋巴瘤,本文初步探讨PET/CT在皮肤淋巴瘤中的价值。方法回顾性分析我院近5年来的12例皮肤淋巴瘤患者PET/CT图像,根据治疗情况分为治疗组(A组)及未治疗组(B组),比较皮肤病变与PET/CT结果的关系。结果 A组中6例行PET/CT随访及再分期,其中2例PET/CT显像未见FDG高代谢病变;3例患者复发的皮肤病变具有不同程度的FDG摄取,1例患者肺部转移。B组中6例皮肤淋巴瘤PET均有阳性病变,但2例患者皮损或皮下结节无FDG摄取。综合分析10例PET/CT显像阳性者,8例患者有皮肤红斑和皮下结节,其中2例皮肤病变未见FDG摄取,2例仅部分皮肤病变摄取FDG。10例分期及再分期的淋巴瘤中,与常规方法比较PET/CT使2例(20%)分期上调。结论 FDGPET/CT对皮肤淋巴瘤的诊治有一定的临床价值。     

Preferential use of sonographically guided biopsy to minimize patient discomfort and procedure time in a percutaneous image-guided breast biopsy program.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether preferential use of sonographic guidance for percutaneous biopsy of breast masses results in a subset of patients with a shorter procedure time and less discomfort compared with patients undergoing stereotactic biopsy. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed on 193 women undergoing percutaneous image-guided breast biopsy between 1997 and 1999. Data were collected on room time, physician time, and patient comfort levels for 122 stereotactic and 71 sonographically guided biopsies. Differences between stereotactic and sonographically guided biopsy for all lesions and for masses were analyzed for statistical significance. RESULTS: Mean room times were 62.2 minutes for stereotactic biopsy and 39.4 minutes for sonographically guided biopsy (P < .0001). Mean physician times were 23.0 minutes for stereotactic biopsy and 15.8 minutes for sonographically guided biopsy (P < .0001). When we limited our analyses to women undergoing biopsy for masses, the difference in physician time largely disappeared, but the difference in room time remained (P < .0001). Women undergoing stereotactic biopsy were more likely to report discomfort due to body positioning than were women undergoing sonographically guided biopsy (P < .001). These differences existed whether we included all lesions or restricted our analyses to masses. CONCLUSIONS: Preferential use of sonographically guided breast biopsy for masses results in shorter procedure times and less patient discomfort compared with prone stereotactic biopsy.     

FDG-PET/CT对弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤骨髓浸润诊断价值的探讨

目的 探讨18氟-氟代脱氧葡萄糖(FDG)-正电子发射断层显像/计算机断层显像(PET/CT)在弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(DLBCL)骨髓浸润患者中的诊断价值.方法 收集2005年7月至2007年6月我中心81例初诊DLBCL患者资料,所有患者均行FDG-PET/CT及双侧髂骨穿刺活检,部分患者在FDG骨髓代谢活跃灶直接穿刺活检.结果 81例初诊DLBCL患者,23例发现FDG骨髓代谢活跃灶,其中17例病理活检证实骨髓浸润;而双侧髂骨穿刺活检11例证实骨髓浸润.对于早期浸润患者,FDG-PET/CT与双侧髂骨骨髓活检的符合率为100%.结论 FDG-PET/CT可以全面评价骨髓状况,较双侧髂骨穿刺活检检出更多的骨髓浸润患者;在FDG骨髓代谢活跃灶直接穿刺活检,可提高穿刺检查的准确率.     

Performance of 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucose Positron Emission Tomography and Integrated PET/CT in Restaged Breast Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the clinical stage derived from 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) to that of integrated PET/computed tomography (CT) in restaged breast cancer patients. PROCEDURES: Fifty-eight female patients (age range 29-80 years, mean age +/-SD, 53.3 +/- 11.7 years) underwent PET/CT restaging for breast cancer. Two experienced nuclear medicine physicians interpreted PET images. A radiologist was added for reading PET/CT studies. A patient-based analysis was performed. Histopathological findings, correlative imaging studies, changes in number, size, and hypermetabolic activity of suspicious lesions and/or patient outcome served as standard of reference for determining the diagnostic accuracy of both modalities. RESULTS: PET staged 79.3% (46/58) of the patients correctly, overstaged seven (12.1%), and understaged five patients (8.6%). Integrated PET/CT staged 89.7% (52/58) of the patients correctly, overstaged four (6.9%), and understaged two patients (3.4%). The staging accuracy of PET/CT was not significantly better than that of PET alone (p = 0.059). Lesions exhibiting mild hypermetabolic activity, benign inflammatory lesions, and physiological variants largely explained incorrect PET findings. CONCLUSION: Integrated PET/CT only marginally improves the restaging accuracy over PET alone (p = 0.059) in breast cancer patients.     

Real-time sonographic imaging for periradicular injections in the lumbar spine: a sonographic anatomic study of a new technique.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted this study to develop a sonographically guided approach to the spinal nerve of the lumbar spine and to assess its feasibility and accuracy by means of computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Fifty sonographically guided approaches at 5 levels (L1-S1) were performed on 5 embalmed cadavers, which were positioned prone. The spinal nerves of the lumbar spine were shown under sonographic guidance. In 1 cadaver, the most lateral aspect of the roof of the intervertebral foramen was defined as a reference point. Its position was computed as a distance from the tip of the spinal process (A), the midline (B), and the intervertebral disk (C). Subsequently, axial transverse CT scans were made to verify these distances. In a second part of the experiment, a spinal needle was advanced under sonographic guidance to the spinal nerves for each lumbar spinal level on 1 embalmed cadaver. The exact placement of the needle tips was checked with the help of CT. RESULTS: This technique for a sonographically guided approach to the periradicular area proved to be feasible and accurate. Sonography and CT provided the same mean measurements of 4.0, 2.5, and 1.4 cm for distances A, B, and C, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.99 (P < .001) between sonography and CT. In the experimental study, all 10 needle tips were placed periradicular to the spinal nerves. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic guidance is a useful adjunct to increase the safety and efficacy of periradicular injections in the lumbar spine.     

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography hypermetabolism of Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease mimicking malignant lymphoma: a case report and literature review

Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a benign, self-limiting inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. This report presents a rare case involving a man with ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) hypermetabolism caused by KFD mimicking malignant lymphoma. The PET/CT maximum intensity projection showed multiple hypermetabolic lymphadenopathies and homogeneous FDG uptake in the bone marrow and spleen. Malignant lymphoma was initially suspected. The patient then underwent excision biopsy of one enlarged right cervical lymph node that was selected because it showed the highest FDG uptake in PET/CT, and examination of this biopsy specimen confirmed the diagnosis of KFD. PET/CT is useful for assessing the general condition of patients and can help to select lymph nodes for excision biopsy based on the highest FDG uptake. However, KFD can predispose to localized FDG uptake and limit the specificity of PET/CT by mimicking malignancy. Thus, positive results of PET/CT should be interpreted with caution.     

Comparison of CT, PET, and PET/CT for Staging of Patients with Indolent Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Purpose  The aim was to investigate the potential impact of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) as compared to PET and CT on the staging of patients with indolent lymphoma. Procedures  PET/CTs from 45 patients with indolent lymphoma undergoing staging or restaging were studied. Clinical follow-up, additional imaging, and histology served as the gold standard. Results  PET/CT correctly diagnosed 92 nodal regions as positive for lymphomatous involvement and 458 as disease free vs 68 and 449 for PET and 64 and 459 for CT, respectively. The respective sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies were 99%, 100%, and 99.8% for PET/CT, 68%, 97.5%, and 92.2% for PET, and 70%, 100%, and 94.7% for CT. PET/CT performed significantly better than PET (p < 0.001 for sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy) and CT (p < 0.001 for sensitivity and accuracy). PET/CT also correctly identified significantly more extra-nodal lesions (22) than CT (14) and PET (nine). Conclusions  PET/CT provides significantly more accurate information compared to PET and CT for the staging and re-staging of patients with indolent lymphoma.     

Sonographically guided core needle biopsy of bone and soft tissue tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of sonographically guided core needle biopsies of musculoskeletal tumors as a reliable alternative to fluoroscopy and computed tomography. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 74 patients referred for image-guided needle biopsy of primary or recurrent musculoskeletal neoplasms and suspected solitary metastasis. Imaging studies performed before biopsy established the feasibility of sonographic guidance in 65 lesions, of which 38 were soft tissue tumors and 27 were bone lesions with extraosseous masses. The lesions were located mainly in the appendicular skeleton. Tissue samples were obtained with a 14-gauge cutting needle coupled to an automated biopsy device under local anesthesia and sonographic guidance. Statistical analysis was based on 48 biopsies confirmed by successful clinical treatment (10 cases) or surgical resection (38 cases). RESULTS: An accurate diagnosis was obtained in 47 (97%) of 48 biopsies; sensitivity was 96%, and specificity was 100%. The method did not yield sufficient tissue to establish a diagnosis in 1 case. Considering all 65 biopsies, high-quality specimens were obtained in 96%. The procedure was carried out expeditiously, and there were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographically guided core needle biopsy is accurate and safe, obviating open biopsy in most soft tissue masses and bone tumors with extraosseous masses in the appendicular skeleton. In such patients, the sonographically guided procedure is the most prompt and effective method for obtaining tissue samples.     

疗前18F-FDG PET/CT对鼻咽癌颈部散在小淋巴结的临床诊断价值

目的 探讨疗前18F-FDG PET/CT对CT或MRI显示阴性的鼻咽癌颈部散在小淋巴结(最大横断面短径≥0.5 cm但<1 cm、包膜完整、无中央坏死)的临床诊断价值.方法 选取经病理组织学确诊、疗前CT或MRI检查可见颈部散在小淋巴结的初治鼻咽癌患者,进行头颈部或全身18F-FDG PET/CT检查;在超声引导下对散在小淋巴结进行细针穿刺活检.对比18F-FDG PET/CT显像及穿刺病理结果,计算18F-FDG PET/CT诊断符合率,分析18F-FDG PET/CT检查对N分期的影响.结果 2004年12月至2009年8月共30例患者进入本研究.根据CT或MRI诊断N0~3期分别为3例、13例、13例、1例.30例患者颈部共发现散在小淋巴结31枚,最大横断面短径为0.5~0.8 cm(中位0.6 cm);其中18F-FDG PET/CT显像阳性15枚,阴性16枚;穿刺病理结果显示,15枚显像阳性的小淋巴结中病理阳性13枚,阴性2枚;16枚显像阴性的小淋巴结病理均为阴性.18F-FDG PET/CT的诊断准确率、灵敏性和特异性分别为93.5%、100%和88.9%;阳性和阴性预测值分别为86.7%和100%.与基于CT或MRI的N分期比较,18F-FDG PET/CT检查示5例患者N分期升级.结论 疗前18F-FDG PET/CT检查用于诊断CT或MRI显示阴性的鼻咽癌颈部散在小淋巴结有较高的准确性,有助于鼻咽癌准确分期.     

18F-FDG PET/CT在结直肠癌术后血清癌胚抗原阳性患者中的临床应用

目的探讨¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT检测结直肠癌术后血清癌胚抗原（CEA）阳性患者中复发和转移灶的价值。 方法回顾性分析60例结直肠癌术后CEA阳性且接受PET/CT检查的患者,将PET/CT检出结果与病理及随访结果进行比较。 结果¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT诊断阳性50例,假阳性1例;阴性10例,假阴性3例。PET/CT诊断结直肠癌术后CEA阳性患者复发和转移灶的灵敏度为94.2%（49/52）,特异度为87.5%（7/8）,阳性预测值为98.0%（49/50）,阴性预测值为70.0%（7/10）,准确率为93.3%（56/60）。 结论¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT在结直肠癌术后血清CEA阳性患者中有较高的临床应用价值,其对复发及转移灶的检测具有较高的灵敏度、特异度及准确率。     

Sonographically guided percutaneous muscle biopsy in diagnosis of neuromuscular disease: a useful alternative to open surgical biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of sonographically guided percutaneous muscle biopsy in the investigation of neuromuscular disorders. METHODS: Sonographically guided percutaneous needle biopsy of skeletal muscle was performed with a 14-gauge core biopsy system in 40 patients over a 24-month period. Patients were referred from the Department of Neurology under investigation for neuromuscular disorders. Sonography was used to find suitable tissue and to avoid major vascular structures. A local anesthetic was applied below skin only. A 3- to 4-mm incision was made. Three 14-gauge samples were obtained from each patient. All samples were placed on saline-dampened gauze and sent for neuropathologic analysis. As a control, we retrospectively assessed results of the 40 most recent muscle samples acquired via open surgical biopsy. RESULTS: With the use of sonography, 32 (80%) of 40 patients had a histologic diagnosis made via percutaneous needle biopsy. This included 26 (93%) of 28 patients with acute muscular disease and 6 (50%) of 12 patients with chronic disease. In the surgical group (all acute disease), 38 (95%) of 40 patients had diagnostic tissue attained. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographically guided percutaneous 14-gauge core skeletal muscle biopsy is a useful procedure, facilitating diagnosis in acute muscular disease. It provides results comparable with those of open surgical biopsy in acute muscular disease. It may also be used in chronic muscular disease but repeated or open biopsy may be needed.     

Decision-tree analysis for cost-effective management of solitary pulmonary nodules in China

AIM: To analyze the cost-effectiveness of the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule(SPN) in China. METHODS: Decision analysis models were constructed to assess the cost-effectiveness of four strategies for the management of SPN: computed tomography(CT) alone, CT plus CT-guided automated cutting needle biopsy(ACNB), CT plus positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT), CT plus diffusionweighted magnetic resonance imaging(DWI) plus PET/CT. RESULTS: The prevalence of lung cancer among SPN discovered in the clinical setting was approximately 50%. The CT plus ACNB strategy had higher diagnostic accuracies(87% vs 81%), with a cost saving of $1945 RMB per patient, and reducing unnecessary thoracotomy by 16.5%; this was associated with a 4.5% missed diagnosis rate. CT plus DWI plus PET/CT strategy also had higher accuracies(95% vs 81%), with a cost saving of $590 RMB per patient, and reducing unneces-sary thoracotomy by 13.5%; this was accompanied by 0.3% missed diagnosis rate. CT plus PET strategy is cost effective at a prevalence rate of 0-34%, but there was a larger prevalence range of lung cancer for CT plus ACNB strategy(from 0 to 0.6) and CT plus DWI plus PET/CT strategy(from 0 to 0.64). CONCLUSION: CT plus DWI plus PET/CT strategy was cost-effective, and had a higher accuracy accompanied by a lower missed diagnosis rate than CT plus ACNB strategy.