Technical note. A new needle for puncture biopsy

Nonaspiration puncture biopsy for suspected thoracic cavum tumor: experience of 2,010 clinical cases

In our hospital from October 1980 to February 2000, 2,010 patients with suspected thoracic cavum cancer were diagnosed by nonaspiration puncture with multiple-hole type and surface trough-type biopsy needles. The positive rate of cytology or pathology examination for lesions in pleura, mediastinum, and lung tissue were 88.6% (148/167), 83% (297/358), and 80.2% (1,191/1,485), respectively. The mean positive rate in all cases was 81.4% (1,636/2,010). Complications rates for pneumothorax or hemoptysis were 1.3% and 0.8%, respectively, in this group. Such revised puncture needles have been used by us in various organs, such as brain tumors, metastatic lymph nodes of head and neck cancers, malignant disease of breast, liver, kidney, prostate, rectum and bone, etc. The use of such nonaspiration puncture needles is very simple, safe, and effective; even for beginners with this technique, the rate of successful diagnoses is fairly high.

Biopsy needle characteristics

Percutaneous biopsy is the radiologist's most frequently performed interventional procedure. Its success is due to a number of factors, including rapid advancements in biopsy needle technology which have allowed interventionalists to improve upon the efficacy, safety, and accuracy of the procedure. The characteristics of these needles are discussed, with reference to specific applications of the different needles, and the safety and diagnostic information that can be obtained. A thorough knowledge of the different needles available is important for a well-equipped radiology department, and a better choice of the most appropriate needle for each procedure.