Safety and clinical contribution of computed tomography-guided biopsy for cervical spine lesion

Abstract

Introduction

The purpose is to clarify the safety and clinical contribution of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous needle-biopsy for patients with cervical spine lesion.

Material and methods

Between June 2015 and August 2022, CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsies were performed for 15 cervical spine lesions of 15 patients (8 male, 7 female; 2–81 years old). The technical success, clinical contribution, and safety were evaluated. Technical success was defined as the completion of the biopsy procedure. Clinical contribution was defined as any contribution to the therapeutic strategy. Safety was assessed by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0.

Results

The technical success rate was 100%. In all 15 patients, nontarget organs (e.g., major vessels, spinal cord) could be avoided. The post-biopsy histological diagnoses were myeloma (n = 2), metastatic adenocarcinoma (n = 2), chordoma (n = 2), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (n = 3), and one case each of malignant lymphoma, schwannoma, pyogenic spondylitis, non-pyogenic spondylitis, degenerative change, and non-pathological fracture. All of these diagnoses contributed to the therapeutic strategy decisions. One case of grade 2 pain was observed, but no complications with grade 3 or more were observed during or after the biopsies.

Conclusion

CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsies for cervical spine lesions were safe and clinically beneficial.

Keywords:

• CT-guided biopsy
• cervical spine lesion
• child
• osteosclerotic lesion
• vertebral artery

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s),