Fluoroscopic versus Conventional Computed Tomography-Guided Biopsy

Background/ To determine the success rate of computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopic CT (FCT) and conventional CT (CCT) for needle navigation in biopsies from mediastinum, bone, abdomen, liver and pelvis. Patients and Data from 122 consecutive percutaneous interventional biopsies performed with use of FCT guidance (mean age of 50.5; range: 1-79 years) and 84 consecutive biopsies with CCT guidance (mean age: 50.7; range, 12-83 years) were gathered from the interventional radiologist and general practitioner. The success rate of procedure was increased in the FCT group as compared with that of CCT group in some organs such as bone, abdomen, liver and pelvis. A statistically significant difference was noted when we compared FCT group with CCT in liver biopsies (P=0.019). The mean procedure time was lower in FCT group. The overall mean (±SD) FCT time was 200±90 (range: 20-400) sec; in CCT group, it was 420±260 (range: 605-800) second. FCT facilitates CT-guided biopsy procedures and reduces the procedure time by allowing visualization of the needle tip from skin entrance to the target point.