Abdominal aspiration biopsies. Sonographic v computed tomographic guidance
J. C. Pelaez, M. C. Hill, J. L. Dach, M. B. Isikoff and B. Morse
One hundred eighty-four diagnostic aspirations performed on 169 patients
were reviewed (1) to define the decision process regarding which guidance
method (sonography v computed tomography) should be used on any given
patient, and (2) to determine, once a guidance method was chosen, its
accuracy and complication rate. Sonographic guidance (84%) proved to be an
effective method for obtaining a correct diagnosis in 98% (110/112) of
cystic masses and 79% (34/43) of solid masses. Computed tomography (16%)
was used when sonography could not identify the mass or when the mass was
small, deeply located, and often solid. Computed tomographic guidance
provided a correct diagnosis in 100% (13/13) of cystic masses and 81%
(13/16) of solid masses.
