Percutaneous Fluoroscopic vs CT Guided Core Needle Biopsy for Spinal Infection and Tumor

Accuracy, Safety and Diagnostic Outcome of Percutaneous Fluoroscopic vs. CT Guided Transpedicular Core Needle Biopsy for Spinal Infections and Tumors. A Prospective Randomized Trial

Spinal biopsy is important to obtain culture and histopathological diagnosis in spine infection and tumors. To date, there is no prospective randomized study comparing both techniques. Therefore, the aim of this prospective randomized trial was to evaluate the accuracy, safety and diagnostic outcome of both these techniques.A prospective randomized trial was performed in 60 patients divided equally into fluoroscopic and CT guided spinal biopsy groups. Transpedicular approach was done with 8G core biopsy needle. Specimens were sent for histopathological examinations and cultures. Diagnosis were made based on biopsy results, clinical criteria and disease progression during 6 months follow up. Radiation expose to patients and doctors were measured with optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Spinal Tumor; Spondylodiskitis
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Fluoroscopy Guided Spinal Biopsy; Diagnostic test: CT guided Spinal Biopsy

Detailed Description

This prospective randomized study was carried out in a single institution from November 2016 to June 2018.

Patients were recruited by three spine surgeons from the same institution after eligibility assessment. Sixty consecutive patients were randomized equally into fluoroscopic and CT guided spinal biopsy groups. Randomization procedure was performed using a computer generated random number sequence on www.random.org. Separate individuals completed the random allocation sequence, patient enrollment and outcome assessment. Outcome assessors were blinded to group assignment.

Data collection Clinical data collected were: patient demographics, comorbidities, infective parameters, tumor markers, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings and pre-biopsy pain score at rest using visual analogue scale (VAS). Intraoperative data included radiation exposure dosage, biopsy duration and complications encountered. Following biopsy, we recorded the biopsy result, 6-hourly pain score (VAS) at for 48 hours, additional analgesia requirement and complications.

Radiation measurement Commercial optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters, OSLDs (NanoDotTM Dosimeter, Landauer Inc, Glenwood, IL) were used to measure radiation dose. Ten OSLDs were placed on patients and doctors prior to all biopsies over selective areas representing radiosensitive organs. Placements of the OSLDs were done by a single observer. OSLDs were processed using MicroStar OSLD reader system (Landauer, Inc. Glenwood, IL). Each OSLD was processed 3 times during each reading to obtain a mean value to minimize error. The absorbed doses were measured in centigrays (cGy). Bleaching/zeroing of the OSLDs were done using optical annealing system containing fluorescent lamps (Osram lumilux, 24 W, 280 ~780 nm) in between each use of OSLDs.

Biopsy technique Transpedicular approach with an 8-gauge T-Lok™ bone marrow biopsy needle (Argon Medical Devices, Athens, TX, USA) was used in both arms. 10cc 2% lignocaine was infiltrated prior to biopsy. Biopsy needle was tapped gently with mallet through the pedicle and into the lesion under imaging guidance. Trocar was then withdrawn once it reached the affected area. The cannula was rotated several times to disengage sample from surrounding tissue. Then, aspiration of samples was done using 10-ml syringe prior to retraction of the cannula. Tissue samples were retrieved from the cannula with the use of stylet.

Samples collected were sent to laboratories for histopathological examination (HPE), culture and sensitivity (bacteriology, mycology and acid-fast bacilli), staining (Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

1. Fluoroscopy Guided Spinal Biopsy Arm: Fluoroscopy guided spinal biopsies were done by spine surgeons in the operation theatre using C-Arm fluoroscopy device (OECFluorostar7900Compact - GE®). C-arm image intensifier was positioned until fluoroscopic beam was collinear with the corresponding vertebral body on AP view prior to insertion of biopsy needle.
2. CT guided Spinal Biopsy Arm: CT guided spinal biopsies were done by radiologist under guidance of 128-slice CT scanner (SOMATOM Definition AS+, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.). Preliminary axial CT scanning was done in bone window (window width, WW:2500; window level, WL:500) at the pre-selected levels decided from previous imaging to plan the needle access. Biopsy was then performed under sequential CT-fluoroscopy scan.

Post biopsy care Antimicrobials were commenced upon completion of biopsy for patients who were diagnosed to have spine infection. Disease progression was assessed based on clinical symptoms, ESR, CRP and/or MRI repeated during 6 months follow up for patients who were not treated for spinal infection.

For suspected spinal tumor cases, negative biopsies that were reported to have inadequate sample, were repeated with the other method or other investigation modalities will be resorted accordingly. Patients with negative biopsy that was reported to have adequate sample were follow up for 6 months for disease progression.

Sample size Sample size was determined based on accuracy of biopsy as outcome variable, in which the accuracy rate was 0.89. It was estimated using G*Power software (version 3.1.9.2) based on 2 proportions formula (Fisher's exact test). With alpha level of 0.05, 95% confidence interval and power of study 0.8, a minimum number of 52 patients (26 patients for each arm) was required for this study.

Statistical analysis Data were analyzed with SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL (SPSS v 23). Continuous data were reported as mean ± standard deviation and compared using t test. Chi-squared testing was used for between-groups comparisons. Fisher-exact test was used for the comparison of diagnostic accuracy between fluoroscopic and CT guided spinal biopsy. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Malaysia
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 59100
    • University Malaya Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age more than 18;
2. Patients who presented with clinical symptoms and radiological features suggestive of infection or malignancy;
3. MRI reported as probable infection or tumour.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Cervical spine lesion;
2. Significant neurological deficit that required urgent surgery;
3. Partially treated spinal infections;
4. Vascular tumour;
5. Infection over skin puncture site;
6. Pregnancy;
7. Bleeding diathesis;
8. Medically unfit for spinal biopsy.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Fluoroscopy Guided Spinal Biopsy Arm; Fluoroscopy guided spinal biopsies were done by spine surgeons in the operation theatre using C-Arm fluoroscopy device (OECFluorostar7900Compact - GE®). C-arm image intensifier was positioned until fluoroscopic beam was collinear with the corresponding vertebral body on AP view prior to insertion of biopsy needle	Diagnostic test: Fluoroscopy Guided Spinal Biopsy; Spinal biopsy done via Transpedicular approach with an 8-gauge T-Lok™ bone marrow biopsy needle under fluoroscopic guidance. Samples collected were sent to laboratories for histopathological examination (HPE), culture and sensitivity (bacteriology, mycology and acid-fast bacilli), staining (Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Active Comparator: CT guided Spinal Biopsy Arm; CT guided spinal biopsies were done by radiologist under guidance of 128-slice CT scanner (SOMATOM Definition AS+, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.). Preliminary axial CT scanning was done in bone window (window width, WW:2500; window level, WL:500) at the pre-selected levels decided from previous imaging to plan the needle access. Biopsy was then performed under sequential CT-fluoroscopy scan.	Diagnostic test: CT guided Spinal Biopsy; Spinal biopsy done via Transpedicular approach with an 8-gauge T-Lok™ bone marrow biopsy needle under CT guidance. Samples collected were sent to laboratories for histopathological examination (HPE), culture and sensitivity (bacteriology, mycology and acid-fast bacilli), staining (Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Diagnostic accuracy of fluoroscopic and CT guided spinal biopsy	Diagnostic accuracy were determined based on true positive, true negative, false positive and false negative biopsy findings	6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Radiation expose to patients and doctors	Total of 10 commercial optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) were placed on patients and doctors at different body areas prior to biopsy to measure radiation dose	During biopsy
Pre biopsy and post biopsy pain score assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS)	Pre biopsy pain score and post biopsy pain score (6-hourly for 48 hours) were assessed base on visual analogue scale (VAS) and recorded. Pain score will be aggregated by mean and standard deviation and compared between both groups. Additional analgesia requirement was documented.	48 hours post biopsy
Complications of spinal biopsy	Complications of spinal biopsy were observed such as neurovascular injury and iatrogenic fracture.	During and 48 hours after spinal biopsy

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Malaya
• Investigators: Study Director: Chris Yin Wei Chan, University of Malaya

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 2, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): June 2, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 29, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 11, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): July 13, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 19, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 17, 2018
• Last Verified: July 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: spinal biopsy; prospective randomizd trial
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Infections; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Spinal Cord Diseases; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Nervous System Neoplasms; Spinal Diseases; Bone Diseases; Spondylitis; Bone Diseases, Infectious; Bone Neoplasms; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Spinal Neoplasms; Discitis
• Other Study ID Numbers: NMRR-16-690-30761

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Undecided

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No