Study: Ultrasound fusion biopsy on par with CT-guided ortho biopsy
Ultrasound fusion imaging-guided biopsies for detecting bone and soft tissue cancers are safe, effective and as accurate as CT-guided biopsy, according to a study presented at the 2011 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting, held in San Diego from Feb. 15 to Feb. 18.
Researchers based at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit undertook the study to evaluate the ultrasound fusion method for obtaining musculoskeletal tissue for biopsy, hypothesizing that the ultrasound method could boost patient convenience and comfort.
The ultrasound fusion method merges real-time ultrasound images with previously acquired CT or MRI datasets to allow physicians to identify the area for biopsy.
Michael Mott, MD, an orthopedic oncologist at Henry Ford, and colleagues randomized 44 patients into undergoing CT-guided or ultrasound fusion-guided biopsies between January and December 2010. The researchers evaluated histologic specimen yield and correlation with surgical pathology when available as well as variables relating to speed and ease of use.
Mott and colleagues reported that ultrasound fusion and CT-guided biopsies produced success rates of achieving a diagnostic sample of 93 percent and 90 percent, respectively. The ultrasound method was faster and associated with less patient pain, the researchers observed.
“Ultrasound fusion is a viable option to consider for patients,” said Mott. “With imaging precision being equal, patients liked the ultrasound fusion because scheduling a biopsy was found to be more flexible than CT suites.”
Researchers based at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit undertook the study to evaluate the ultrasound fusion method for obtaining musculoskeletal tissue for biopsy, hypothesizing that the ultrasound method could boost patient convenience and comfort.
The ultrasound fusion method merges real-time ultrasound images with previously acquired CT or MRI datasets to allow physicians to identify the area for biopsy.
Michael Mott, MD, an orthopedic oncologist at Henry Ford, and colleagues randomized 44 patients into undergoing CT-guided or ultrasound fusion-guided biopsies between January and December 2010. The researchers evaluated histologic specimen yield and correlation with surgical pathology when available as well as variables relating to speed and ease of use.
Mott and colleagues reported that ultrasound fusion and CT-guided biopsies produced success rates of achieving a diagnostic sample of 93 percent and 90 percent, respectively. The ultrasound method was faster and associated with less patient pain, the researchers observed.
“Ultrasound fusion is a viable option to consider for patients,” said Mott. “With imaging precision being equal, patients liked the ultrasound fusion because scheduling a biopsy was found to be more flexible than CT suites.”