Coordinated and interdepartmental processing of image-guided core needle biopsies improves recovery of diagnostic material for molecular testing

Abstract

Core needle biopsies (CNBs) are the current standard by which tissue is procured by minimally invasive means for diagnostic purposes. However, their diminutive nature often creates an imbalance between the amount of tissue available for morphologic examination and the growing number of tests being requested to be performed from them. An under-recognized by-product of this procedure may alleviate some of these supply issues, but requires a cooperative effort from personnel in interventional radiology and pathology to bring to fruition. We describe the theory, practice, and results of how to maximize the amount of diagnostic material that is available and coming from CNB’s for these growing number of tests. This coordinated approach will maintain the value of the CNB in the growing and competitive arena of minimally invasive assay development.