Image-guided percutaneous mesenteric biopsy: diagnostic yield and safety profile

To evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety profile of percutaneous image-guided biopsy of mesenteric lesions.

Image-guided percutaneous biopsies of the mesentery at a single institution from 2000 to 2022 were identified and reviewed. Relevant demographic and procedural data were abstracted from the medical record. Surgical pathology was reviewed to evaluate if the biopsy was diagnostic and concordant with the patient's final diagnosis.

One hundred ninety five patients (mean age, 62.6 ± 14.; M/F, 113/82; mean BMI, 30.4) underwent mesenteric biopsy procedure. Of these, 173 (89%) were performed using ultrasound and 22 (11%) were performed using CT or a hybrid/combined approach. Core needle biopsy was used in 164 (84%) patients, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was used in 21 (11%), and both were used 10 (5%). Mean/median number of biopsy passes was 2.8 ± 1.3 and 3, respectively (core mean 2.7 ± 1.2; FNA mean 3.4 ± 1.5). Average lesion size was 5.3 ± 4.4 cm in the long axis and 2.9 ± 2.0 cm in the target plane. Diagnostic yield of core biopsies was 97.7% (n = 170/174) and FNA was 80.6% (n = 25/31) for an overall combined yield of 96.4% (n = 188/195). Of diagnostic biopsies, 95.7% (n = 180/188) were concordant with the final diagnosis, 70.8% (n = 138) of which were considered malignant. Overall concordant diagnostic rate was 180/195 (92.3%). Neuroendocrine tumor pathology was the only factor associated with lower diagnostic yield (13/15, 87%). For all biopsies, average shortest skin-to-target-distance on CT was 6.3 ± 2.8 cm, decreased to 4.1 ± 1.3 cm with US compression (approximately 35% reduction, p < 0.001). Additionally, ultrasound created a safe path not available on CT in 29 (15%) biopsies. Moderate IV sedation was used in 91.3% (n = 178) of mesenteric procedures. Complications occurred in 11 (5.6%) biopsies, and all were considered minor.

This represents a large cohort of image-guided percutaneous biopsies of mesenteric lesions with the majority representing core biopsy performed under US guidance. This technique offers high diagnostic yield and a favorable safety profile for tissue diagnosis. Furthermore, compression with ultrasound reduced skin-to-target distance by 35% and created a biopsy path that would not be possible on CT in 15% of US cases.