Aim: To present a new blunt-tip coaxial needle (SoftGuard) applied to access "hard-to-reach" targets undergoing percutaneous image-guided biopsy or drainage.
Materials and methods: All consecutive patients presenting between August and December 2016 with "hard-to-reach" (<10 mm from a critical nearby structure such as vessels, nerves, bowel or adjacent parenchymal organs) solid lesions requiring biopsy (group A) or abscesses requiring drainage for sepsis (group B) were prospectively included. The individual features of each patient and lesion as well as technical and clinical data were collected and analysed.
Results: Twenty-six patients (18 males, 8 females, mean age 59.81 ± 17.53 years) were enrolled in group A and nine (6 males, 3 females, mean age 58.33 ± 13.8 years) in group B. Technical success was achieved in 92.3% of cases from group A and 100% of cases from group B. Five (19.2%) minor complications were noted in group A (four small self-limiting pneumothoraces and one small self-limiting peri-pancreatic haematoma). There were no complications in group B. Histological results in group A accounted for 95% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 95.2% diagnostic accuracy. In group B, mean post-operative C-reactive protein was 41 ± 48.3 mg/L in comparison with 155 ± 117.5 mg/L at baseline (P = 0.004).
Conclusions: The SoftGuard blunt-tip needle is a safe and effective tool when applied as a coaxial working cannula for percutaneous biopsy or drainage of "hard-to-reach" targets.
Keywords: Biopsy; Blunt tip; Coaxial needle; Drainage.