[Diagnostic accuracy of the percutaneous spinal biopsy. Optimization of the technique]

Between 1992 and 1999, 210 percutaneous biopsies of the spine were performed in our department of neuroradiology. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determinate the diagnostic accuracy of the procedure and to discuss the technical points that might improve its accuracy. An accurate diagnosis was obtained in 72% of the spondylodiscitis and in 80% of the tumoral lesions (88% of metastatic lesions and 68% of primary tumors). These results have been compared with the other results of the literature. There was no significant difference of accuracy between CT and fluoroscopic guided biopsies. On the other hand, the type of needle and the multiplicity of samples for bacteriological and histologic studies improve the diagnostic accuracy.