Use of a soft guiding template and laser device improves the success rate of computed tomography-guided bone biopsies and reduces radiation exposure.

Background: Precision and operator expertise are critical for bone tumour biopsies. In this study, we investigated the impact of combining a soft guiding template with a laser device on the success rate of computed tomography (CT)-guided bone biopsies and the associated radiation dose.

Methods: A cohort of 114 patients with bone tumours requiring CT-guided biopsies were assigned to the auxiliary device group, utilising a soft guiding template and a laser device. Another 197 patients (control group) underwent biopsies with conventional guiding templates. The χ2 test compared biopsy success rates and concordance rates between biopsy findings and surgical outcomes. Biopsy success rates for limb bones, limb girdles, and axial bones were also compared. Independent sample t-tests analysed differences in age, volume CT dose index (CTDI_vol), dose-length product (DLP), and effective dose (ED) between groups, as well as for limb bones, limb girdles, and axial bones individually.

Results: The biopsy success rate in the auxiliary device group (85.09%) was significantly higher than in the control group (74.62%; P = 0.032). No significant differences were observed for limb girdles (P = 0.40) or axial bones (P = 0.19). However, the biopsy success rate for limb bones was significantly higher in the auxiliary device group (85.51%) than in the control group (70.87%; P = 0.028). The concordance rate between biopsy findings and surgical outcomes did not differ significantly (P = 1.00). CTDI_vol showed no significant differences for limb girdles (P = 0.66), limb bones (P = 0.23), or axial bones (P = 0.8). While DLP (P = 0.41)and ED (P = 0.42) showed no significant differences for limb girdles, they were significantly lower for limb bones (DLP: P = 0.012; ED: P = 0.012) and axial bones (DLP: P = 0.005; ED: P = 0.002) in the auxiliary device group.

Conclusion: The combination of a soft guiding template and laser device significantly improved the success rate of CT-guided bone biopsies, providing a solid histological foundation for early and accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, these devices reduced the associated radiation dose, lowering radiation-related risks for patients.