Mahwish Faizan, Samina Zaman, Qaiser Mehmood, Saadia Anwar.
Trucut Needle Biopsies of Abdominal Tumours in Children; Experience at the Children Hospital, Lahore.
Pak Paed J Nov ;41(3):174-7.

Objective: To determine the demographics, accuracy, and complications associated with trucut needle biopsy of palpable abdominal masses in children with suspected abdominal malignancies. Study Design: Prospective Observational Study. Methodology: The study was carried out in the Hematology and Oncology Department at The Children’s Hospital and ICH, Lahore. All children presenting with palpable abdominal masses suspected of malignancy from April 1st 2016 till October 30th 2016 were included. Informed consent was taken from the parents. Data regarding age, gender, suspected diagnosis, final diagnosis, sample adequacy, and associated complications were analyzed. Consecutive sampling technique was used and data was analyzed using SPSS 20. Results: Total 95 ultrasound guided tru-cut biopsies were included in the study. Suspected diagnosis based on clinical and radiological findings was wilms tumor 46 (48.4%), neuroblastoma 27 (28.4%), Non Hodgkin Lymphoma 14 (14.7%), Germ Cell tumor 4 (4.2%), miscellaneous 2 (2.1%). There were 68 (71.6%) boys, and 27 (28.4%) girls. Majority 60 (63.2%) were 1-5 years of age while 22 (23.2%) were 5-10 years old. Eight (8.4%) patients were under 1 year and 5 (5.3%) more than 10 years. Abdominal distension was the main symptom in 75 (78.9%) while fever with abdominal distension observed in 15 (15.8%), respiratory distress in 4 (4.2%) and hematuria in 1 (1.2%) patient. There was palpable abdominal mass in 95 (100%) patients. Final diagnosis was wilms tumor 34 (35.8%), Neuroblastoma 25 (26.3%), Burkitts/B cell Lymphoma 17 (17.9%), Germ cell tumor 3 (3.2%), while 5 (5.3%) have misc diagnosis while diagnosis was inconclusive in 11 (11.6%) patients. Complications observed were Pain 1 (1.1%), Haemoperitoneum and oozing at biopsy site observed in 1 (1.1%) patient each. Biopsy was inadequate/tiny in 2 (2.1%) patients while biopsy size was adequate but showed necrosis only in 5 (5.3%) patients. Conclusion: Ultrasound Guided Tru-cut biopsy is a safe and reliable method for palpable malignant abdominal mass. It’s associated with minimal complications and yield correct histological diagnosis expediting management.

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