Percutaneous biopsy of the musculoskeletal system: a review of 77 cases
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Updated: Oct 23, 2026
Collection of Skeletal Muscle Biopsies from the Superior Compartment of Human Musculus Tibialis Anterior for Mechanical Evaluation
Published on: September 27, 2020
1Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Que. jchodge@rad.mgh.mcgill.ca
Objective:
To analyze the accuracy of percutaneous bone and soft-tissue biopsies.
Methods:
A total of 77 percutaneous biopsies performed under computed tomographic or fluoroscopic guidance over a 24-month period were reviewed. The biopsies were performed in 74 patients, 32 male and 42 female, with a mean age of 60.3 years.
Results:
Sixty-three bone and 14 soft-tissue biopsies were performed. No follow-up information was available for 8 patients, and 1 patient died before an accurate diagnosis could be made. There were 44 true-positive, 17 true-negative, 8 false-negative and no false-positive results. The correct diagnosis was obtained in 57 of 68 cases (83.8%). For bone biopsies, the accurate diagnosis was obtained in 47 of 55 cases (85.5%). For soft-tissue biopsies, the correct diagnosis was obtained in 10 of the 13 cases (76.9%). Diagnostic accuracy was slightly better for osteolytic than for osteosclerotic lesions. Accuracy also varied with lesion site and needle type. Cytology and pathology specimens were almost equally useful in contributing to the correct diagnosis.
Conclusion:
The accuracy of percutaneous biopsy achieved in this series is similar to that found in other series. Although diagnostic accuracy varied, accuracy is improved if both cytologic and pathologic specimens are analyzed.
