CT-guided percutaneous aspiration biopsy of solitary vertebral lesions

CT-guided percutaneous aspiration biopsy (PAB) of solitary vertebral lesions was performed in 50 patients. The lesions were in the cervical (7), dorsal (21), lumbar (16) and sacrococcygeal (6) regions. Tuberculosis (30%) and metastases (30%) were the commonest pathological findings. A positive cytological diagnosis was obtained in 46 patients (92%). PAB is a simple outpatient procedure with very low morbidity and an effective alternative to open biopsy.