Diagnosing musculoskeletal tumours: How accurate is CT-guided core needle biopsy?

Abstract

Introduction Biopsy is a critical juncture in the diagnostic process for evaluating musculoskeletal tumours. The traditional diagnostic standard of open biopsy yields highly accurate diagnoses but associated with it is a significant rate of procedural complications. Imaging-guided needle biopsy is now being widely adopted as a competitive and minimally-invasive alternative with significantly lower complication rates. We assess its diagnostic outcomes at a tertiary referral centre in Melbourne, Australia. Method Data pertaining to biopsy and surgical histology were retrieved from the musculoskeletal tumour database at St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy following approval from the Human Research E..