Percutaneous bone biopsy using a flat-panel cone beam computed tomography virtual navigation system

Objectives: To assess the clinical role of flat-panel cone beam CT (CBCT) in performing percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) of bone lesions. Flat-panel cone beam CT systems have been used as a guidance tool for performing percutaneous biopsy. Real-time fluoroscopy and virtual navigation systems help simplify needle path planning and shorten procedure times. Methods: From March 2012 to March 2016, 80 patients with 80 bone lesions were retrospectively enrolled in the study in Zhengzhou city of China. Technical success, diagnostic accuracy, puncture performance, procedure time, complications, and effective radiation exposure were calculated. Results: All biopsies were technically successful (100%). Sufficient tissue for histopathological analysis was obtained in 75 of 80 cases. The sensitivity of PNB of bone lesions was 95.5%, the specificity was 83.3%, and accuracy was 93.7%. The mean scoring of puncture performance was 3.9 +/- 1.3. The mean total procedure time was 13.20 +/- 4.4 min, resulting in a mean exposure dose of 11.3 +/- 5.1 mSv. The complication rate was 8.7%. Conclusion: Percutaneous bone biopsy using CBCT is a safe and effective method that simplifies needle path planning and shortens procedure times.