Safety and efficacy of image-guided percutaneous biopsies in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BackgroundAfter the invention of effective target agent therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), percutaneous biopsies may be indicated for unresectable diseases or before neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous biopsies for GISTs.Material and methodsFifty-eight procedures of transluminal biopsies or image-guided percutaneous biopsies in 49 patients at our Institution from 1999 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultTwenty-three transluminal biopsies, 20 ultrasonography-guided biopsies, and 15 CT-guided biopsies were performed. Failure rate was higher in the group of transluminal biopsies (17%). There is no major procedure-related complication in patients who underwent percutaneous biopsy. However, life-threatening bleeding after transluminal biopsies happened in two patients.ConclusionImage-guided percutaneous biopsy is a safe and efficient alternative tool for the diagnosis of patients with GISTs.