[Value of a new apparatus for percutaneous vertebral bone biopsy].

Percutaneous vertebral trephine biopsy is a valuable investigation. A new type of trephine needle for vertebral biopsy is described in this paper. This trephine needle is introduced on the thin needle used for local anesthesia, following a procedure similar to vascular catheterism. Thus, the same puncture is used for local anesthesia and bone biopsy. Therefore, local anesthesia is more effective and the biopsy procedure is much safer, particularly at the thoracic level where vital organs are very close to the spine. A very practical handle design for advancing the trephine needle on the guide wire makes the biopsy procedure easy and precise. This trephine needle enhance indications of this potentially valuable procedure.