CT-guided adrenal biopsy: accuracy, safety, and indications

Fifty-eight percutaneous needle biopsies of adrenal masses were performed in 53 patients. The technique was initially successful in 44 (83%) of 53 patients. Five patients had second procedures because of initial failure or the possibility of sampling error. Fourteen biopsies were performed in nononcologic patients and 39 in patients with a known malignancy. None of the adrenal masses in nononcologic patients were malignant. Only 18 (46.1%) of the 39 masses in oncologic patients were metastases; the rest represented a variety of nonneoplastic conditions. Seven minor complications occurred in six patients. Two of these patients required transfusions for hypotension or decreases in hematocrit. No correlation was noted between needle size and complications. There were no pneumothoraces. The procedure is an accurate and safe alternative to surgical biopsy.