ROLE OF NON COAXIAL BONE MARROW BIOPSY NEEDLE AND BONE BIOPSY NEEDLE IN CT GUIDED CORE NEEDLE BIOPSIES

Abstract

Objective: To compare bone marrow biopsy needle (BMBN) with bone biopsy
needle (BBN) in CT guided core biopsies considering size of core, diagnostic
yield and cost of needles.
Methodology: Retrospective study was done on 50 out of 68 patients re -ferred to Interventional Radiology department for CT guided bone biopsy
from 2008 till 2013.
Grading of specimen length was done as small, medium and large. Diagnostic
yield was determined on basis of clinical, imaging and histopathology data.
Local cost of both needle types was determined. Comparison was made and
statistical analysis was performed.
Results: Biopsy was performed by BBN in 16 patients and by BMBN in 34
patients. Overall diagnostic yield of bone biopsies was 82 % (41 of 50 biop-sies). Diagnostic yield with BMBN was 85 % and with BBN was 75 %. Overall
longer specimen length was obtained using BMBN. Statistically, there was no
significant difference between them in diagnostic yield and specimen length;
however, BMBN costs almost one half than BBN.
Conclusion: Diagnostic yield and sample length using bone marrow biopsy
needle proved to be equivalent to bone biopsy needle. Bone marrow biopsy
needle has an added benefit of being low in cost. Despite being a non-coaxial
technique these needles can achieve diagnostic yield comparable to that of
coaxial techniques as reported in past literature.