To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a fine-needle-assisted, two-step puncture technique for improving accuracy in CT-guided percutaneous interventions, including biopsy and ablation, at challenging target locations.
Key Findings:
Initial fine-needle placement was successful in all 20 cases of the fine-needle-assisted group.
One puncture failure occurred in the conventional approach group.
The fine-needle-assisted group required fewer repositioning attempts (0.9 ± 0.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.3, p < 0.05), indicating statistical significance.
Puncture times were shorter in the fine-needle-assisted group (12.05 ± 2.86 vs. 14.95 ± 3.32 minutes, p < 0.05).
No major complications occurred in either group.
Interpretation:
The fine-needle-assisted puncture technique demonstrates improved precision and reduced complications in CT-guided procedures at challenging target locations compared to conventional methods, suggesting its potential for broader clinical application.
Limitations:
The study is retrospective and may be subject to selection bias, which could affect the reliability of the findings.
The sample size is relatively small, limiting generalizability to larger populations.
Conclusion:
The fine-needle-assisted puncture technique is a safe and effective method for enhancing precision in CT-guided percutaneous procedures.
