CT-guided needle biopsy of the pancreas: a retrospective analysis of diagnostic accuracy
Rodriguez, J.; Kasberg, C.; Nipper, M.; Schoolar, J.; Riggs, M.W.; Dyck, W.P.
American Journal of Gastroenterology 87(11): 1610-1613
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9270 PMID: 1442684 Document Number: 393864
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of percutaneous needle biopsy of the pancreas and to compare its sensitivity with that of simple computerized tomographic (CT) prediction of maliganncy. The records of 41 patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsies of the pancreas during a 4-yr period were reviewed retrospectively. Pre-biopsy CT scans were evaluated independently by two experienced radiologists in a blinded fashion. Needle biopsy yielded a correct diagnosis of cancer (sensitivity) in only 45% of patients ultimately found to have a malignancy, whereas the radiologic interpretation alone correctly predicted cancer in 76% of such patients. The negative predictive value of needle biopsy was no better (43%) than the radiolgoist's CT interpretation alone. Our findings confirm previous observations that percutaneous needle biopsy is an insensitive method of diagnosing pancreatic cancer. In our experience, needle biopsy proved less accurate than expert radiologic interpretation of CT scans alone.