Naila Loudini1, Andor W J M Glaudemans1, Paul C Jutte2, Albert J H Suurmeijer3, Derya Yakar1, Thomas C Kwee4. 1. Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. 2. Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. 4. Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: thomaskwee@gmail.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: To determine the diagnostic yield of repeat ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy of musculoskeletal soft-tissue lesions with initially inconclusive biopsy results, and to explore predictive factors for success of repeat biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 42 patients who underwent a repeat (second) US-guided biopsy session to target a musculoskeletal soft-tissue lesion because an initial US-guided biopsy session provided inconclusive results. Both biopsy sessions were performed in a tertiary referral center for soft-tissue sarcomas. RESULTS: The diagnostic yield of repeat US-guided biopsy was 47.6%. Malignant nature of the lesion (P = 0.031), sharp lesion borders on US (P = 0.011), and good to very good lesion visibility on US (P = 0.017) were significantly associated with a diagnostic repeat US-guided biopsy. There was also a trend towards significance (P = 0.073) for a higher number of biopsy passes through the lesion. Other patient characteristics (age and gender), magnetic resonance imaging features (lesion homogeneity on T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and gadolinium chelate enhanced sequences, borders, enhancement pattern, depth and size), US features (lesion appearance, vascular flow, and depth), biopsy-related factors (days between initial and repeat US-guided biopsy, needle diameter, maximum length of acquired samples), and operator-related factors (same or different radiologists/pathologists for initial and repeat biopsies), were not associated with the diagnostic success of the repeat US-guided biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat US-guided biopsy of a musculoskeletal soft-tissue lesion with initially inconclusive biopsy results can be useful to establish a final diagnosis. Lesion features on US (borders and visibility) may be used to prospectively determine the utility of a repeat US-guided biopsy.
INTRODUCTION: To determine the diagnostic yield of repeat ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy of musculoskeletal soft-tissue lesions with initially inconclusive biopsy results, and to explore predictive factors for success of repeat biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 42 patients who underwent a repeat (second) US-guided biopsy session to target a musculoskeletal soft-tissue lesion because an initial US-guided biopsy session provided inconclusive results. Both biopsy sessions were performed in a tertiary referral center for soft-tissue sarcomas. RESULTS: The diagnostic yield of repeat US-guided biopsy was 47.6%. Malignant nature of the lesion (P = 0.031), sharp lesion borders on US (P = 0.011), and good to very good lesion visibility on US (P = 0.017) were significantly associated with a diagnostic repeat US-guided biopsy. There was also a trend towards significance (P = 0.073) for a higher number of biopsy passes through the lesion. Other patient characteristics (age and gender), magnetic resonance imaging features (lesion homogeneity on T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and gadolinium chelate enhanced sequences, borders, enhancement pattern, depth and size), US features (lesion appearance, vascular flow, and depth), biopsy-related factors (days between initial and repeat US-guided biopsy, needle diameter, maximum length of acquired samples), and operator-related factors (same or different radiologists/pathologists for initial and repeat biopsies), were not associated with the diagnostic success of the repeat US-guided biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat US-guided biopsy of a musculoskeletal soft-tissue lesion with initially inconclusive biopsy results can be useful to establish a final diagnosis. Lesion features on US (borders and visibility) may be used to prospectively determine the utility of a repeat US-guided biopsy.