Thoracic spine: percutaneous trephine biopsy.

Forty-one percutaneous trephine biopsies of thoracic vertebral bodies or disks from T-3 to T-12 were performed under fluoroscopic guidance without complications. Biopsy technique was improved by a new set of trephine needles using a procedure similar to vascular catheterization and specific prone-oblique positioning of the patient. On a 35 degrees prone-oblique view, the heads (dorsal extremities) of the ribs determine the direction of puncture. Both pleura and spinal canal are easily recognized and avoided. Of 40 cases, there were 31 true-positive results, six contributory results, and three false-negative results. Percutaneous biopsy of the thoracic spine with this technique is a safe, rapid, and reliable procedure.