Figure 7 Biopsy of the C4/5 infective spondylodiscitis in a 50-year-old man using the anterolateral approach. (a) Lateral radiograph shows irregular narrowing of the C4/5 disc space with mild anterior wedging of C4 and C5 vertebral bodies and mild kyphotic deformity. (b) Photograph shows the patient lying in a supine position with the neck being cleaned after the selected level was surface-marked. (c) Photograph taken after the patient was draped shows the radiologist’s fingers palpating the carotid pulsation and guarding the right major neurovascular bundle. (d) Photograph shows the skin incision being made following administration of local anaesthetic. (e) Photograph shows insertion of the Ostycut biopsy needle. Note that the radiologist’s fingers are guarding the adjacent major neurovascular bundle during needle insertion. (f) CT fluoroscopic image taken with the patient lying supine shows the tip of the Ostycut needle within the inferior C4 vertebral body osteolytic lesion.

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