results

From 1987 to 1999, 180 percutaneous musculoskeletal biopsies were performed on an out-patient basis. There were 63% female and 37% male patients ranging in age from 17 to 87 years ( mean 58.4 years ). Biopsy was performed in 55% of the cases for lytic lesions, in 24% of the cases for condensing or mixed lesions, in 18% of the cases for vertebral compression fractures. Biopsy was made in 68% of the cases for vertebral , in 17% of the cases for pelvic girdle and in 14% of the cases for peripheral long bone lesions. Vertebral lesions were at cervical in 3% of the cases, in 15% of the cases at thoracic level, in 45% of the cases at lumbar level and in 7% of the cases at sacral level. Only two complication were observed among our patients These consisted of paravertebral hematomas which resolved spontaneously. Specificity for diagnosis was 100 %, sensitivity was 93.9 %, positive predictive value was 100 %, negative predictive value was 87.5%.