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Biopsy of the Spine

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Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy

Abstract

Image-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of the spine is a safe and effective technique for obtaining tissue samples from spine lesions. Percutaneous biopsies of the spine are generally performed under fluoroscopic or computed tomography (CT) guidance. Although fluoroscopy provides real-time imaging capability, this technique is limited by its poor visualization of soft tissue. Many interventional radiologists prefer CT’s superior spatial and contrast resolution and ability to delineate adjacent soft-tissue structures, especially for biopsies of cervical spine lesions. A variety of bone biopsy needle systems are commercially available, any of which can be used to obtain specimens from spinal lesions. Different approaches for cervical spinal biopsy include the anterolateral, posterolateral, posterior, transoral, and paramaxillary approaches. Thoracic lesions are usually accessed for biopsy by transpedicular, transcostovertebral, and posterolateral approaches. Common approaches for biopsying lumbar vertebral lesions include transpedicular and posterolateral methods. The diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous biopsy of spinal lesions ranges from 67–100 % according to the needle used, the radiographic appearance of the biopsied lesions, the underlying pathology, and the operator’s experience.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Interventional Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1471, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Sanjay Gupta MD, DNB

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  1. Sanjay Gupta MD, DNB
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Correspondence to Sanjay Gupta MD, DNB .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Vascular & Interventional Radiol., University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Kamran Ahrar

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology Section of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Sanjay Gupta

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Gupta, S. (2014). Biopsy of the Spine. In: Ahrar, K., Gupta, S. (eds) Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8217-8_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8217-8_22

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