Open rib biopsy guided by radionuclide technique

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Ann. Thorac. Surg.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-4975(10)62187-X· OSTI ID:6627747

Shih, W J; DeLand, F H; Domstad, P A; Magoun, S; Dillon, M L

When abnormally increased radioactivity is seen in a rib or ribs by bone imaging in a patient with suspected or known malignancy, it frequently is difficult to differentiate fracture from metastatic disease. Histological examination of the lesion is crucial for diagnosis, staging, and planning of therapy. To assess the value of external localization of the site or sites of abnormal uptake in a rib as a guide for open rib biopsy, 10 patients (7 men, 3 women; age range, 34 to 68 years) with known or suspected malignancy were studied. With reference to the oscilloscope image, a cobalt 57 marker was placed on the skin overlying the focus of increased uptake, and the area of increased activity was marked on the skin as a guide to surgical resection. Of ten resected ribs, four showed metastatic disease and five had fractures. (One patient underwent two external marking procedures and two surgical procedures.) Rib biopsy was not performed in 1 patient because prior to the surgical procedure, a small subcutaneous nodule adjacent to the skin marker was excised and confirmed to be carcinoma. Appropriate courses of management (operation, irradiation, chemotherapy) were taken after the biopsies. The surgeon responsible for the biopsy should be present during the skin-marking procedure, and the area beneath the scapula and the region adjacent to the spine should be avoided. Our results indicate that the technique is a very useful aid for approaching open rib biopsies more precisely.

• Research Organization: Thoracic Surgery Service, Veterans Administration, Medical Center, Lexington, KY
• OSTI ID: 6627747
• Journal Information: Ann. Thorac. Surg.; (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Thorac. Surg.; (United States) Vol. 38:1; ISSN ATHSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ACCURACY
ANIMAL TISSUES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOPSY
BODY
BODY AREAS
BONE FRACTURES
BONE TISSUES
CHEST
COBALT 57
COBALT ISOTOPES
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
IMAGES
INJURIES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
METASTASES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
TISSUES