title: CT-guided cutting-needle biopsies of selected chest lesions.
abstract: In an effort to improve on our diagnostic yield from percutaneous transthoracic biopsy, we used 14-gauge cutting needles in 56 selected patients. These biopsies were preceded by 18-, 20-, or 22-gauge aspirations in 42 patients, allowing a direct comparison of the efficacy of the needle types. Specific diagnoses were made by cutting-needle biopsy in 78% (25/32) of patients with nonlymphoproliferative malignancies, in 73% (8/11) with lymphoma or thymoma, and in 54% (7/13) of patients with benign diseases. In those in whom both aspiration and cutting needles were employed, a higher percentage of specific diagnoses was achieved by cutting-needle biopsy than by aspiration biopsy: 72% vs 64% in nonlymphoproliferative malignancies, 62% vs 12% in the lymphoproliferative group, and 55% vs 22% in benign disorders. Complications were encountered in 20% of all patients studied. This study shows that, for selected chest lesions, CT-guided cutting-needle biopsies can be performed safely and are useful, especially in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative or benign disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Goralnik
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: el Yousef
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Haaga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013945:Thymoma / Q000473:pathology; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed