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Ultrasound‐guided core needle biopsy for the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma in childhood
Author(s) -
Chowdhury Tanzina,
Barnacle Alex,
Haque Saira,
Sebire Neil,
Gibson Sian,
Anderson John,
Roebuck Derek
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.22059
Subject(s) - medicine , rhabdomyosarcoma , biopsy , radiology , work up , sarcoma , ultrasound , diagnostic accuracy , surgery , pathology
Background Most commonly a tissue diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in children is made by biopsy as opposed to primary resection. Open surgical procedures are often recommended to obtain sufficient material for accurate and complete diagnostic work up. Our institution has routinely used image‐guided needle biopsies for soft tissue tumour diagnosis. We therefore sought to assess diagnostic accuracy and completeness, and procedure safety of consecutive patients diagnosed by needle biopsies in a single institution. Methods A retrospective review of consecutive biopsies of patients who were diagnosed with RMS or undifferentiated sarcoma in a single institution over a 9‐year period. Results There were 24 children diagnosed with RMS or undifferentiated sarcoma who underwent 37 procedures (30 primary site and 7 draining lymph nodes). In the primary site diagnostic procedures, definitive diagnosis was made in all cases. In the majority of cases there was sufficient material for molecular analysis, cytogenetics and freezing. There were no complications of biopsy. Conclusions In the hands of experienced operators, image‐guided needle biopsies of RMSs allow for accurate diagnosis, allow sufficient material to be obtained for supplementary studies and research, and are associated with minimal morbidity. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:356–360. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.