Silver Book Fact
A 2002 study found that image-guided percutaneous needle biopsies are between 3 and 7 times more cost-effective than open surgical biopsies, require a shorter procedure time, result in fewer infections, and allow earlier treatment if cancer is found.
Jelinek J, Murphey M, Welker J, Henshaw R, et al. Diagnosis of Primary Bone Tumors with Image-Guided Percutaneous Biopsy: Experience with 110 tumors. Radiology. 2002; 223: 731-7. http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/abstract/223/3/731