CT-guided percutaneous biopsies in pediatric patients

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Radiology
• Interventional Radiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Percutaneous biopsy under computed tomography (CT) guidance is a valuable diagnostic tool in adult medicine.
• Its application in the pediatric population has been less explored, despite potential benefits.
• Accurate tissue diagnosis is crucial for guiding treatment in pediatric patients with suspected malignancy or inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility and safety of CT-guided percutaneous biopsy in pediatric patients.
• To determine the diagnostic yield and complication rates of this technique in children.
• To assess the role of CT-guided biopsy in the management of pediatric diseases.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 432 pediatric patients scanned over 36 months.
• Identification of patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous biopsy (n=20).
• Analysis of indications (suspected malignancy or inflammatory process), tissue recovery rates, and complications.

Main Results:

• Twenty pediatric patients underwent CT-guided percutaneous biopsy.
• A high diagnostic tissue recovery rate of 88% was achieved in patients with suspected or known malignancy (n=16).
• Diagnostic tissue was obtained in 3 of 4 patients with suspected inflammatory disease, with no immediate or delayed complications reported.

Conclusions:

• CT-guided percutaneous biopsy is a safe and effective method for tissue diagnosis in pediatric patients.
• The technique demonstrates a high diagnostic yield, particularly in cases of suspected malignancy.
• This minimally invasive approach aids in guiding subsequent clinical treatment decisions for pediatric diseases.