Percutaneous bone biopsy

Image guided percutaneous biopsy has become the initial procedure of choice in most cases for obtaining bone samples for histological and microbiological assessment. It is a minimally invasive procedure which offers multiple advantages over open surgical biopsy including maintenance of bone structure, minimal soft tissue injury, reduced need of general anesthesia, reduced hospital stay and a low rate of post-procedure complications. In some cases, it can be combined with therapeutic procedures such as cementoplasty and cryoablation via the same access route. For the radiologist, knowledge of the key principles is essential for a safe and effective procedure, particularly when a sarcoma of bone is in the differential diagnosis. In this article we cover the core concepts of percutaneous bone biopsy including indications and contraindications, essential planning steps, appropriate imaging modalities, equipment selection, common approaches, technique as well as avoiding, recognizing and treating complications. Recent technological advancements in this field are also discussed.