CT-Guided Percutaneous Biopsy of Thoracic and Lumbar Spine: A New Coaxial Technique

lumbar or thoracic bone biopsy performed with a larger bore needle and coaxial system. The use of the external sheath cannula as a coaxial system led to an accurate diagnosis in all 19 patients who underwent the procedure. Bleeding at the biopsy site occurred in two patients and was controlled by insertion of Gelfoam. No other complications were encoun-tered. We suggest that our procedure is more effective, reli-able, safe, and rapid than the traditional technique. Modern imaging techniques can depict small and even asymptomatic bone lesions. Open biopsy is a major surgical procedure associated with morbidity and complications. Percutaneous biopsy under fluo-roscopic or CT (CT) guidance is a safe and almost painless, and is preferred for lesions that have a soft-tissue component or are located close to vital struc