1.0T MR-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy in pancreatic lesion diagnosis

Background: Pancreatic carcinoma is a common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Biopsy is often required for the initial diagnosis of pancreatic masses. Biopsy can be performed endoscopically or percutaneously with computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) guidance. MRI offers many inherent advantages over CT and US.

Purpose/hypothesis: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of MRI-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy of pancreatic lesions using an open 1.0T high-field MR scanner.

Study type: Prospective.

Population: Thirty-one patients with 31 pancreatic lesions underwent MR-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy.

Field strength/sequence: 1.0T T₂ WI-TSE PDW-aTSE T₁ WI-TFE.

Assessment: Final diagnosis was confirmed by surgery and clinical follow-up for at least 12 months. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated. Complications were recorded.

Statistical tests: There was no statistical analysis in this study.

Results: The procedure was technically successful and final biopsy samples were adequate for histopathological examination in all patients. Biopsy pathology revealed malignant pancreatic tumor in 25 patients (25/31, 80.6%), and benign pancreatic lesions were present in six patients (6/31, 19.4%). The final diagnosis was pancreatic malignancy in 27 patients and benign disease in four patients, which was confirmed by surgery and clinical follow-up. Two biopsy results were false-negative. The diagnostic accuracy in biopsies was 93.5% (29 of 31). The sensitivity to detect a malignant disease was 92.6% (25 of 27), and the specificity was 100%. All patients tolerated the procedure well; minor peripancreatic hemorrhage was found in two patients after the procedure, and none had major complications either during or after the procedure.

Data conclusion: MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy of pancreatic lesions using an open 1.0T high-field scanner has high diagnostic accuracy, which is feasible and safe for use in clinical practice.

Level of evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:382-388.