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Radiology-pathology correlation for bone and soft tissue tumors or tumor-like masses: single institutional experience after implementation of a weekly conference

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Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the frequency of non-diagnostic and discordant results from bone and soft tissue biopsies performed at our institution over a 3-year period and to investigate whether implementation of a weekly musculoskeletal radiology-pathology correlation conference decreased the time to appropriate patient management in cases of discordance.

Methods

Consecutive image-guided core needle biopsy results obtained over a 12 month period of time were reviewed in a retrospective fashion. Following implementation of the correlation conference, subsequent consecutive image-guided core needle biopsy results obtained over a 26 month period of time were reviewed in a prospective fashion. For non-diagnostic and discordant cases, the time in days from date of availability of the biopsy result to date of documentation of a specific follow-up action plan was recorded.

Results

Diagnostic yield was 96.5% and 94.9% for the retrospective and prospective periods, respectively. There were four discordant results in the retrospective cohort (1.7%) and seven discordant results in the prospective cohort (2.1%). Following implementation of the weekly correlation conference, there was significant decrease (p < 0.05) in median time from a discordant biopsy result to follow-up action plan. There were no unnecessary surgeries, litigation, or other unfavorable consequences in either cohort.

Conclusion

Image-guided core needle biopsies of bone and soft tissue provide high diagnostic yield, often with specific diagnoses. The statistically significant decrease in number of days to follow-up action plan for discordant results suggests radiology-pathology review has a positive impact on patient care. Subjective benefits from communication and educational standpoints are also noteworthy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, 20900 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL, 33180, USA

    James S. Banks

  2. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA

    Hillary W. Garner, Jeffrey J. Peterson, Joseph M. Bestic & Daniel E. Wessell

  3. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic Health System, 1025 Marsh Street, Mankato, MN, 56001, USA

    Andrew Z. Chow

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  1. James S. Banks
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  2. Hillary W. Garner
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Correspondence to Hillary W. Garner.

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Banks, J.S., Garner, H.W., Chow, A.Z. et al. Radiology-pathology correlation for bone and soft tissue tumors or tumor-like masses: single institutional experience after implementation of a weekly conference. Skeletal Radiol 50, 731–738 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-020-03616-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-020-03616-4

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