Feasibility of biopsy guided by FDG-PET/CT in oncological patients

Objectives When implying institution of therapy, FDG-PET/CT positive results should be confirmed by histology whenever possible. We evaluated the feasibility of percutaneous PET/CT-guided biopsies to histological confirmation of PET/CT positive lesions.

Methods We prospectively evaluated 15 patients who underwent PET/CT guided biopsies. Technical feasibility and clinical success rates of PET/CT-guided biopsies were evaluated.

Results Patients with FDG-PET/CT suspected lesions of lymphoma, melanoma, breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer were admitted for biopsy guided by FDG-PET/CT. PET/CT positive lesions were successfully accessed and representative tissue samples were obtained in all patients. No complications or adverse effects occurred. Histological confirmation of cancer was obtained in 10/15 patients.

Conclusions PET-CT guided biopsy is feasible and may optimize the diagnostic yield of imagine guided interventions. Also, PET/CT positive lesions with no morphological correlation may now be accessible to percutaneous interventions