Percutaneous biopsies of splenic lesions--a clinical and contrast enhanced ultrasound based algorithm

Splenic lesions are rare and characterization is difficult. Secondary spread is more frequent than primary malignant lesions. Thus clinical circumstances are important in the general work-up. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) had high accuracy in recent studies but the positive predictive value is low. Biopsy is considered dangerous. Recent studies have brought back this method into focus showing an excellent efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of relevant biopsy results in patients with splenic lesions concerning the clinical circumstances.

Patients with unclear splenic lesions which appeared progressively hypoenhancing in the late phase of CEUS with BR1 were included. Biopsy was performed with ultrasound guidance. Patients were sorted into 5 groups according to their clinical symptoms.

44 patients were enrolled, 59% had benign lesions. 73% were rated relevant. For the subgroups the rate was: patients with hints for hemato-oncological diseases 83%, patients without symptoms 38%, patients with infections of unknown origin 100%, patients with suspicion of metastases 33%, immunocompromised patients 100%. One bleeding could be managed conservatively, another bleeding was detected incidentally 2 weeks later.

Percutaneous biopsy of unclear splenic lesions which appear hypoenhancing in the late phase of CEUS with BR1 results in a high rate of relevant lesions. The results should be tested in larger numbers of patients.