Utility of computed tomography-guided biopsy in evaluation of metastatic spinal lesions

Abstract

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy of spine is currently a valuable diagnostic tool and effective technique for diagnosing and planning a proper therapeutic strategy for certain spinal lesions. The reported diagnostic accuracy of core biopsy ranges from 77% to 97%. Materials and Methods: We included all patients with spinal lesions suspicious of metastasis on magnetic resonance imaging, who presented between May 2012 and April 2014 and underwent CT-guided biopsy in our study. A total of thirty patients with spinal lesions were evaluated. Results: Majority presented in the seventh decade of their life (average age = 53.93; age range = 10–72 years). Male:female ratio was 1.5:1. Pain was the most common presenting symptom (100%). Lumbar spine was the most common site of lesion followed by dorsal spine. Biopsy is the gold standard in histopathological evaluation of spinal lesions. Metastatic lesion was diagnosed in 12 (40%) cases, plasmacytoma in 12 (40%) cases, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2 (6.66%) cases, small round cell tumor in 1 (3.33%) case, nonspecific chronic inflammation in two patients, and necrosis with no viable cells in one patient. The most common malignancy to metastasize to spine was adenocarcinoma. The most common primary tumor of spine was plasmacytoma - multiple myeloma. Conclusion: CCT-guided biopsy is a safe procedure, and no procedure-related complication was seen in any patient.