Aims: To assess the reliability of ultrasound guided (USG) tru-cut needle biopsy technique in the management of soft tissue tumours.

Methods: Pathology reports of patients who underwent USG needle biopsy and surgical resection of the tumour between 1994 and 2002 were reviewed. 141 biopsies (142 patients; 59 females and 82 males; mean age 52.5 years [range 16 to 96]) were included. Exclusions were those who did not undergo both procedures, had recurrent disease, had previous biopsy of same site, inadequate or damaged biopsy materials.

Results: Final histology showed 74 malignant and 68 benign tumours compared with 72 and 70, respectively, on biopsy reports, with 94.6% sensitivity, 97.1% specificity, 97.2% positive predictive value (PPV) and 94.3% negative predictive value (NPV). The histological grade was commented on in 48 cases. Final histology reported 18 high grades versus 30 low or medium grades compared to 17 and 31, respectively, on biopsy reports, giving 88.9% sensitivity, 96.7% specificity, 94.1% PPV and 93.5% NPV. Overall accuracy is 95.8% for malignant/benign reporting and 93.8% for grading. One patient developed superficial haematoma that underwent spontaneous uneventful resolution.

Conclusions: This technique is as reliable as open biopsy, yet avoids the need for general anaesthesia and inpatient admission. Tumour visualisation improves sampling while the larger needle gives greater volume than fine needle aspiration.