A novel use of colonoscopy forceps for biopsy of intervertebral disc

BACKGROUND Core biopsy of vertebral bone is traditionally carried out in the prone position under radiological guidance using a trephine. If biopsy of the intervertebral disc is required, the same technique and instrumentation is used or fine-needle aspiration is performed. The biopsy obtained with the trephine relies on capillary action and the volume of sample tissue is often small. The sensitivity of this technique is poor, with rates ranging between 42% and 62%.1 With a larger sample of tissue, it is probable that the sensitivity of the technique may be improved. We propose a novel technique (using equipment already present in the operating theatre) that increases the volume of sample tissue obtained and could improve the likelihood of an organism being isolated.