Sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of lytic lesions of the spine: Technique and indications

Sanjay Gupta, Deepak Takhtani, Madhu Gulati, Niranjan Khandelwal, Deepali Gupta, Arvind Rajwanshi, Subhash Gupta, Sudha Suri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose. We report the use of sonography to guide fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of lytic lesions of the spine. Methods. Twenty-nine patients with lytic vertebral lesions with or without associated extraosseous soft- tissue extension underwent sonographically guided FNAB. Twelve cervical, 7 thoracic, 7 lumbar, and 3 sacral lesions were biopsied. Tissue samples were taken from either the bony lesion through a break in the cortex (n = 9) or the associated soft-tissue extension (n = 20). Results. Adequate diagnostic material obtained in 27 cases (93%) revealed an inflammatory (n = 13) or malignant process (n = 14). Of the 2 patients with inconclusive FNAB findings, 1 patient was lost to follow-up, and the other underwent surgery, which revealed tuberculosis. No complications of FNAB were encountered. Conclusions. We conclude that sonography is a safe and effective guidance modality for FNAB of lytic lesions of the spine, especially for lesions in the cervical region. In the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions, however, the role of sonographically guided FNAB is limited to lesions affecting the posterior elements.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)123-129
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Ultrasound
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bone
  • Spine, biopsy
  • Ultrasonography
  • Ultrasonography, guidance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of lytic lesions of the spine: Technique and indications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this