Role of image intensified fluoroscopy guided closed vertebral biopsy in perplexed lesions of spine: A retrospective study

Abstract

Background: The percutaneous image-guided procedure is faster and more cost-effective and has an overall lower risk of complications. Despite considering image intensified fluoroscopy guided biopsy of spine as one of the valuable diagnostic procedure, favorable diagnostic yield of this method in Indian population has not been convincingly proved. Hence this study was undertaken to determine the diagnostic yield of this procedure comparing with the available literature. Materials and Methods: A record based retrospective study was conducted at hospitals affiliated to Kasturba Medical college, Manipal. 134 patients who underwent image intensified fluoroscopy guided closed vertebral biopsy were included in the present study. Data was collected by using a semi structured questionnaire and was analyzed by statistical package for social sciences 11.5. The results were expressed as percentages. Results: The diagnostic yield taking all reports into consideration is 98.5%. Fifth lumbar vertebra was most commonly biopsied level in 32(23.8%).Complications occurred only in 3 (2.2%) out of 134 patients Conclusion: Image intensified fluoroscopy guided closed vertebral biopsy can be considered as first modality of invasive investigation for all perplexed lesions of lumbar spine. Simplicity and cost effectiveness of the procedure makes it a reasonable option.