Clinical evaluation of a robotic system for precise CT-guided percutaneous procedures

Shiran Levy*, S. Nahum Goldberg, Ido Roth, Moran Shochat, Jacob Sosna, Isaac Leichter, Sebastian Flacke

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To assess accuracy and compare protocols for CT-guided needle insertion for clinical biopsies using a hands-free robotic system, balancing system accuracy with duration of procedure and radiation dose. Methods: Thirty-two percutaneous abdominal and pelvic biopsies were performed and analyzed at two centers (Center 1 n = 11; Center 2 n = 21) as part of an ongoing prospective, multi-center study. CT datasets were obtained for planning and controlled placement of 17 g needles using a patient-mounted, CT-guided robotic system. Planning included target selection, skin entry point, and predetermined checkpoints. Additional CT imaging was performed at checkpoints to confirm needle location and permit stepwise correction of the trajectory. Center 1 used a more conservative approach with multiple checkpoints, whereas Center 2 used fewer checkpoints. Scanning and needle advancement were performed under respiratory gating. Accuracy, radiation dose, and steering duration were compared. Results: Overall accuracy was 1.6 ± 1.5 mm (1.9 ± 1.2 mm Center 1; 1.5 ± 1.6 mm Center 2; p = 0.55). Mean distance to target was 86.2 ± 27.1 mm (p = 0.18 between centers). Center 1 used 4.6 ± 0.8 checkpoints, whereas Center 2 used 1.8 ± 0.6 checkpoints (p < 0.001). Effective radiation doses were lower for Center 1 than for Center 2 (22.2 ± 12.6 mSv vs. 11.7 ± 4.3 mSv; p = 0.002). Likewise, steering duration (from planning to target) was significantly reduced in relation to the number of checkpoints from 43.8 ± 15.9 min for Center 1 to 30.5 ± 10.2 min for Center 2 (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Accurate needle targeting with < 2 mm error can be achieved in patients when using a CT-guided robotic system. Judicious selection of the number of checkpoints may substantially reduce procedure time and radiation dose without sacrificing accuracy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5007-5016
Number of pages10
JournalAbdominal Radiology
Volume46
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Keywords

  • Biopsy
  • Clinical trial
  • Interventional radiology
  • Needle insertion
  • Robotics

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