Use of a Soft Guiding Template and Laser Device Improves the Success Rate of Computed Tomography-Guided Bone Biopsies and Reduces Radiation Exposure

Abstract

Background Considering the need for precision and operator expertise in performing bone tumour biopsies, this study aimed to investigate the impact of combining a soft guiding template with a laser device on the success rate of computed tomography (CT)-guided bone biopsies and the associated radiation dose. Methods A cohort of 114 patients with bone tumours who required CT-guided biopsies were assigned to the auxiliary device group, utilizing a soft guiding template and a laser device. Another 197 patients, constituting the control group, underwent CT-guided biopsies with conventional guiding templates. The χ2 test was employed to compare the biopsy success rates and concordance rates between biopsy findings and surgical outcomes in both groups. Additionally, biopsy success rates for limb bones, limb girdles, and axial bones were compared. Independent sample t-tests were used to analyse differences in age, volume CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose-length product (DLP), and effective dose (ED) between groups, as well as the CTDIvol, DLP, and ED for limb bones, limb girdles, and axial bones individually. Results The biopsy success rate in the auxiliary device group (85.09%) was significantly higher compared to that in the control group (74.62%; P < 0.05). Notably, no statistically significant difference was observed in the biopsy success rates for limb girdles and axial bones between both groups (P > 0.05). In contrast, the biopsy success rate for limb bones was significantly higher in the auxiliary device group (85.51%) than in the control group (70.87%; P < 0.05). However, the concordance rate between biopsy findings and surgical outcomes did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 1.00). There was no significant difference in the CTDIvol between the two groups for limb girdles, limb bones, and axial bones (P > 0.05). While DLP and ED showed no significant differences for limb girdles (P > 0.05), they were significantly lower for limb bones and axial bones in the auxiliary device group compared to those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Overall, the combination of a soft guiding template and laser device significantly increased the success rate of CT-guided bone biopsies and reduced the associated radiation dose.