Image-Guided Percutaneous Spine and Rib Biopsy: Pathology

A biopsy procedure does not necessarily start and end with the performance of the procedure. The objective of a biopsy is to obtain pathologic tissue in a sufficient amount so as to enable a pathologist and/or a microbiologist to make the diagnosis. The assumption that all that is necessary is to provide them with a specimen and that they will make the diagnosis can be equated with the request for an imaging study and the typical poor/vague history that presents itself at the radiologist’s reading station. Neither of these scenarios results in excellent medical care.