Edward Wolfgang Lee MD,PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Steven Satish Raman MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Aaron Huang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francisca Kartono, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nam C. Yu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

David Shin-Kuo Lu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Consultant, Siemens AG

To evaluate a risk of needle track seeding after percutaneous core needle biopsy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using coaxial technique

IRB approval was obtained for this study. The surgical pathology database was reviewed to retrieve all patients who were diagnosed with HCC between January 1995 and December 2005. Of 782 patients with HCC, 344 underwent an imaging guided (US, CT or MR) percutaneous core needle biopsy which were performed according to a standard protocol using a 17 gauge outer needle which was advanced to the margin of the mass and a coaxial side or end cutting spring loaded biopsy gun. The mean HCC lesion size was 4.6 cm and an average of 4.4 needle passes per lesion were obtained. The mean follow-up period was 331 days following biopsy.

There was no identified case of needle track seeding after coaxial technique biopsy in 344 consecutive cases in the follow up period. Overall complications were rare and included single cases of bacteremia, hematoma and hemorrhage requiring transfusion. In 75% of cases, subsequent treatment was implanted based in part on biopsy including liver transplantation (24%), RF ablation (23%), and chemo-embolization (20%)

Imaging guided core biopsy using the coaxial technique is a safe and effective technique without a significant risk of needle tract seeding

Biopsy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Needle track implantation of tumor

Lee, E, Raman, S, Huang, A, Kartono, F, Yu, N, Lu, D, Imaging Guided Percutaneous Biopsy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Co-axial Technique in 344 Cases: Assessment of Tumor Seeding along the Needle Track.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4439032.html