[The cutting biopsy cannula for histological diagnosis of abdominal and retroperitoneal masses. Sonographic or computed tomographic guided puncture?].

A new cutting biopsy needle has been used to obtain histologically useful material while causing the minimum of trauma. It permits biopsies of organs, but its small external diameter of 0.8 or 0.95 mm makes it possible to carry out transperitoneal puncture of the stomach, colon or liver and of the retroperitoneal space, using a ventral approach. Tissue samples were obtained in 96% of 63 patients. The risk of complications is no higher than for conventional needles used for cytology. The accuracy with which the material can be obtained is therefore the most important problem. The position of the area to be biopsied should determine whether the biopsy is to be aided by sonography or CT. Biopsies of organs can be appropriately carried out under ultrasound control, but processes in the pelvis and in retroperitoneal-paravertebral and extra-peritoneal positions are best biopsied under CT control.