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[Functional capacity of MRI-compatible biopsy needles in comparison with ferromagnetic biopsy needles. In vitro
H J Langen1, H Kugel, M Ortmann
1Röntgenabteilung Missionsärztliche Klinik Würzburg. hj.langen@missioklinik.de
Purpose:
Comparative evaluation of specimens obtained with different MR-compatible biopsy systems and a conventional ferromagnetic system.
Methods:
Biopsies of a pig liver were performed post-mortem with three different MR-compatible (Somatex; E-Z-EM; Daum) and one conventional biopsy system (Somatex), five with each device. The specimens were measured and the histopathological quality was graded on a scale from 0 (no tissue) to 9 (best). The tip of the needle was examined with an electron microscope before and after biopsy to demonstrate abrasion.
Results:
The histopathological score between the first and fifth specimen taken with one biopsy device showed no significant difference. The conventional system yielded significantly better results in nearly all categories (p < 0.05) than the MR-compatible biopsy systems. The areas of the specimens obtained with the MR-compatible biopsy systems (4.27-5.99 mm2) were significantly smaller than those from the conventional system (9.98 mm2). The needle tip abrasion of the different biopsy systems determined by electron microscopy showed no substantial difference.
Conclusion:
Specimens obtained with MR-compatible biopsy systems compared to conventional biopsy systems are of lower histopathological quality. This might be caused by a smaller side notch of the MR-compatible biopsy devices. There was no difference in abrasion of the needle tip due to the softer, non-ferromagnetic alloys.