Helical CT versus intermittent CT fluoroscopic guidance for musculoskeletal needle biopsies: impact on radiation exposure, procedure time, diagnostic yield, and adverse events

Objective Image-guided percutaneous needle biopsies are essential in the workup of musculoskeletal (MSK) lesions. While helical CT (HCT) is well established, intermittent CT fluoroscopy (iCTF) is an increasingly used alternative. The purpose of this study is to establish whether differences in subject radiation exposure, procedure time, yield, or adverse events exist between HCT and iCTF guidance. Materials and methods This retrospective cohort study included consecutive MSK needle biopsies performed on a single-CT scanner over a 12-month period at a tertiary academic center. Subject demographics, radiation dose, and outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. Comparisons between the two cohorts were performed using Student's t-test for continuous data and using Fisher's exact test for categorical data and a two-tailed p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results Two hundred sixteen adults (115 (53.2%) females) with a mean age of 58.8 +/- 18.4 years, underwent 216 biopsies (109 (50.5%) HCT guided, 107 (49.5%) iCTF guided) between June 2017 and June 2018. Dose-length product (DLP) and volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) were significantly higher for the HCT cohort (HCT 698.9 +/- 400.8 mGycm vs iCTF 312.8 +/- 170.8 mGycm; p < 0.005 and HCT 19.1 mGy +/- 8.8 vs iCTF 6.9 mGy +/- 1.5, p < 0.001). No significant difference in diagnostic yield, procedure time, or adverse event rate was identified. Conclusion For CT-guided MSK needle biopsies, iCTF decreases subject radiation dose compared to HCT without negatively affecting outcomes. iCTF should be strongly considered by radiologists performing MSK biopsies given the reduced patient radiation exposure.

Automated summary

This study aimed to compare the differences in subject radiation exposure, procedure time, yield, and adverse events between helical CT and intermittent CT fluoroscopy guidance in musculoskeletal needle biopsies. The results showed that intermittent CT fluoroscopy can reduce subject radiation dose without negatively affecting outcomes and adverse event rate.