Threading the needle: Tips and tricks for challenging percutaneous abdominopelvic biopsies

Virginia B. Planz; Jennifer Huang; Malak Itani; Priyanka Mitta; Ahmad Parvinian; Rebecca Hibbert; Annie T. Packard; Andrew W. Bowman; Giuseppe V. Toia; Carli E. Calderone; Samuel J. Galgano

doi:10.1067/j.cpradiol.2026.01.005

Threading the needle: Tips and tricks for challenging percutaneous abdominopelvic biopsies

Virginia B. Planz
, Jennifer Huang
, Malak Itani
, Priyanka Mitta
, Ahmad Parvinian
, Rebecca Hibbert
, Annie T. Packard
, Andrew W. Bowman
, Giuseppe V. Toia
, Carli E. Calderone
, Samuel J. Galgano

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

The growing use of biomarker testing for personalized oncologic care has increased the demand for complex and repeated percutaneous biopsies in abdominal and interventional radiology practices. Challenging biopsies can be daunting, requiring a careful assessment of feasibility, safety, and risk tolerance. Several strategies can help optimize the chances of achieving success. Such strategies include leveraging the advantages of the modality chosen for image guidance, ensuring patient comfort, and the use of special techniques, such as IV contrast, navigational tols, and biopsy needle modifications. This review outlines practical tips and tricks for radiologists performing challenging percutaneous biopsies.

Original language	English
Journal	Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1067/j.cpradiol.2026.01.005
State	Accepted/In press - 2026

Keywords

Biopsy
contrast-enhanced ultrasound
cross-sectional interventional radiology
CT-navigation
moderate sedation

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10.1067/j.cpradiol.2026.01.005

Cite this

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title = "Threading the needle: Tips and tricks for challenging percutaneous abdominopelvic biopsies",

abstract = "The growing use of biomarker testing for personalized oncologic care has increased the demand for complex and repeated percutaneous biopsies in abdominal and interventional radiology practices. Challenging biopsies can be daunting, requiring a careful assessment of feasibility, safety, and risk tolerance. Several strategies can help optimize the chances of achieving success. Such strategies include leveraging the advantages of the modality chosen for image guidance, ensuring patient comfort, and the use of special techniques, such as IV contrast, navigational tols, and biopsy needle modifications. This review outlines practical tips and tricks for radiologists performing challenging percutaneous biopsies.",

keywords = "Biopsy, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, cross-sectional interventional radiology, CT-navigation, moderate sedation",

author = "Planz, \{Virginia B.\} and Jennifer Huang and Malak Itani and Priyanka Mitta and Ahmad Parvinian and Rebecca Hibbert and Packard, \{Annie T.\} and Bowman, \{Andrew W.\} and Toia, \{Giuseppe V.\} and Calderone, \{Carli E.\} and Galgano, \{Samuel J.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 Elsevier Inc.",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.1067/j.cpradiol.2026.01.005",

language = "English",

journal = "Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology",

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T1 - Threading the needle

T2 - Tips and tricks for challenging percutaneous abdominopelvic biopsies

AU - Planz, Virginia B.

AU - Huang, Jennifer

AU - Itani, Malak

AU - Mitta, Priyanka

AU - Parvinian, Ahmad

AU - Hibbert, Rebecca

AU - Packard, Annie T.

AU - Bowman, Andrew W.

AU - Toia, Giuseppe V.

AU - Calderone, Carli E.

AU - Galgano, Samuel J.

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - The growing use of biomarker testing for personalized oncologic care has increased the demand for complex and repeated percutaneous biopsies in abdominal and interventional radiology practices. Challenging biopsies can be daunting, requiring a careful assessment of feasibility, safety, and risk tolerance. Several strategies can help optimize the chances of achieving success. Such strategies include leveraging the advantages of the modality chosen for image guidance, ensuring patient comfort, and the use of special techniques, such as IV contrast, navigational tols, and biopsy needle modifications. This review outlines practical tips and tricks for radiologists performing challenging percutaneous biopsies.

AB - The growing use of biomarker testing for personalized oncologic care has increased the demand for complex and repeated percutaneous biopsies in abdominal and interventional radiology practices. Challenging biopsies can be daunting, requiring a careful assessment of feasibility, safety, and risk tolerance. Several strategies can help optimize the chances of achieving success. Such strategies include leveraging the advantages of the modality chosen for image guidance, ensuring patient comfort, and the use of special techniques, such as IV contrast, navigational tols, and biopsy needle modifications. This review outlines practical tips and tricks for radiologists performing challenging percutaneous biopsies.

KW - Biopsy

KW - contrast-enhanced ultrasound

KW - cross-sectional interventional radiology

KW - CT-navigation

KW - moderate sedation

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105027658846

U2 - 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2026.01.005

DO - 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2026.01.005

M3 - Review article

C2 - 41548994

AN - SCOPUS:105027658846

SN - 0363-0188

JO - Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology

JF - Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology

ER -

Threading the needle: Tips and tricks for challenging percutaneous abdominopelvic biopsies

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Keywords

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