Sonographically Guided Percutaneous Biopsy of Gastrointestinal Tract Lesions

• Published in: American journal of roentgenology (1976) Vol. 176; no. 1; pp. 147 - 151
• Main Authors: Marco-Domenech, Santiago F, Gil-Sanchez, Santiago, Fernandez-Garcia, Pilar, Iglesia-Carrena, Pedro De La, Gonzalez-Anon, Manuel, Arenas-Jimenez, Juan J, Alonso-Charterina, Sergio, Piqueras-Olmeda, Rosa M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Leesburg, VA Am Roentgen Ray Soc 01.01.2001; American Roentgen Ray Society
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy, Needle - adverse effects; Digestive System - pathology; Digestive System Diseases - diagnosis; Digestive system. Abdomen; Esophagus - pathology; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharynx - pathology; Retrospective Studies; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Tumors; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Sonography; Human; Stomach; Indication; Gut; Percutaneous route; Guidance; Sensitivity; Biopsy; Echography; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Tumor; Diagnosis; Gastric disease
• ISSN: 0361-803X; 1546-3141
• DOI: 10.2214/ajr.176.1.1760147

Our objective was to evaluate the role and safety of sonographically guided percutaneous biopsy in the diagnosis of digestive tract lesions when the lesions are not suitable to biopsy by endoscopy and safely reachable by sonography. We performed 42 biopsies in 41 patients (age range, 14-81 years; mean age, 57.5 years). We performed biopsies with real-time sonographic guidance using graded compression, with a 3.5-5-MHz microconvex transducer. In 39 biopsies, core specimens were obtained with an 18-gauge automatic needle gun; fine-needle aspiration biopsy was obtained in 28 patients with a 22-gauge needle and in the other four patients with a 21-gauge needle. In the remaining three patients, a coaxial technique with 20- and 22-gauge needles for cytology was used. In 40 (95.2%) of 42 core biopsies performed, a specific diagnosis was obtained. A positive diagnosis was obtained in 16 (45.7%) of 35 fine-needle aspirations. The lesions were located from the pharynx to the sigmoid colon. Twenty-eight patients had malignant lesions, and 13 had benign lesions. Only one serious complication, bile peritonitis, was observed. Percutaneous biopsy with sonographic guidance can be used safely and efficiently to diagnose digestive tract lesions that can be visualized on sonography and are not accessible endoscopically.