CT-Guided Percutaneous Needle Biopsy in Patients with Suspected Retroperitoneal Fibrosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Abstract

The outcome of CT-guided biopsy in patients with suspected retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF), regarded as technically challenging, remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the results of CT-guided biopsy in patients with lesions considered in the differential diagnosis of RF and compare them with results from patients with other retroperitoneal lesions. Patients who underwent CT-guided biopsy of retroperitoneal lesions between January 2010 and September 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The study cohort with retroperitoneal lesions surrounding the infra-abdominal aorta, iliac vessels, and/or ureters was divided into two groups: Group F included patients with lesions for which RF was considered in the differential diagnosis, and Group C comprised patients with a retroperitoneal mass or lymphadenopathy. Lesion size and depth, and biopsy details including technical success, position, procedure time, diagnostic yield, and complications between the two groups were compared. Group F included 27 patients (mean age 68.5years ± 11.6, 17 male) and Group C 30 patients (mean age 65.0years ± 11.8, 16 male). The short axis was significantly smaller in Group F than in Group C (19mm vs 26mm, P = 0.041), and procedure time was significantly longer in Group F than in Group C (31.5min ± 13.2 vs 20.3min ± 8.4, P = 0.001). Technical success rate (93% vs 100%), accuracy (93% vs 93%), and complications (3.7% vs 10%) between Groups F and C were not significantly different. CT-guided biopsy of patients with suspected RF is considered safe and effective.