[Value of punch and puncture drill biopsy in the diagnosis of tuberculous spondylitis].

Thanks to a specially designed guide instrumentarium, punch and drill aspiration biopsy for the vertebrae and intervertebral spaces have become routine diagnostic procedures which any patient can be expected to tolerate. With the authors' puncture technique material can be obtained from a single vertebra at various heights or simultaneously from different segments with the drilling cannula. For an experienced osteopathologist histologic assessment of the tissue cylinders obtained or of aspirated material presents no problems. Percutaneous removal of samples by this method avoids an open diagnostic intervention with its considerably greater attendant risks, or enables a therapeutic intervention to be prepared with greater precision. The authors report on their own experience of drill aspiration biopsy in 35 fully documented patients and discuss considerations regarding indication and confirmation of the diagnosis.