Biopsy of the spine using a needle with a rigid guide wire

Biopsy of the spine is a potentially valuable investigation but suitable instruments and experience are difficult to obtain. The paper gives a detailed account of a trephine biopsy set which incorporates a rigid guide wire. Selection of cases, possible complications and difficulties encountered are described. The method used has proved safe; the proportion of successful biopsies depends on the nature of the cases selected for biopsy as well as the skill and experience of the operator.