Computed tomography in planning percutaneous bone biopsy.

Computed tomography (CT) was performed prior to anticipated percutaneous bone biopsy in 19 patients. The CT results were categorized on the basis of how useful they were in prebiopsy planning. In four cases CT was not useful, in four cases it was confirmatory, and in 11 cases it was definitive. CT influenced the choice of biopsy site, needle type, or position in seven of the 11 cases, and it indicated that no biopsy should be performed in four cases. It is concluded that CT is useful in prebiopsy planning and management.