title: Thoracic lesions: diagnosis by ultrasound-guided biopsy.
abstract: We reviewed the results of US-guided fine-needle biopsies of peripheral pulmonary, pleural, mediastinal and chest wall lesions in 200 patients. Sufficient material for cytological analysis was obtained in 95%, 92%, 96% and 100%, respectively. Sensitivity was 88%, 94%, 96%, 100% and specificity 89%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The ratio of false-negative results was 7%. A cutting needle biopsy was additionally performed in 24 patients. All but two of the histological samples (92%) were adequate for diagnostic purposes and a correct diagnosis was established in 86% (19/22) of these. 8 patients (4%) with pleural or pulmonary targets had minor complications (5 pneumothorax, 3 haemoptysis), which did not require treatment. Cutting needle biopsies and biopsy of mediastinal lesions proved safe. Due to the many advantages US may be considered for guidance in peripheral larger-sized pulmonary lesions, particularly those abutting the pleura, and also in pleural, thoracic wall and mediastinal masses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Keski-Pohjanmaa Central Hospital, Kokkola, Finland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tikkakoski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lohela
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taavitsainen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiltunen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ihalainen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Päivänsalo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Siniluoto
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strengel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Apaja-Sarkkinen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography