CT-guided biopsy of the chest: usefulness of fine-needle core biopsy combined with frozen-section pathologic diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
To improve the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy of the chest.


METHODS
The usefulness of fine-needle core biopsy combined with immediate frozen-section diagnosis by pathologists was prospectively studied. Fifty-five biopsies of the chest were performed under CT guidance in 55 patients with 36 malignant and 19 benign processes. Initial biopsy was always attempted with a 21-gauge modified Menghini needle; tissue samples were sent to the pathology department immediately after biopsy for pathologic diagnosis of the frozen sections.


RESULTS
In 47 of 55 lesions (85%) sufficient materials for diagnosis were obtained and enabled correct final diagnosis. Specific histologic diagnosis was possible in 25 (74%) of 34 malignant and 10 (77%) of 13 benign lesions. In all of the eight other lesions, cytologic diagnosis of aspirated material was correct. No false-positive or false-negative results have occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Histologic diagnosis with frozen sections improves diagnostic accuracy of chest biopsy; immediate pathologic diagnosis is an encouraged adjunct.
Sakai
T
T
Department of Radiology, Fukui Medical School, Japan.
Hayashi
N
N
Kimoto
T
T
Maeda
M
M
Ishii
Y
Y
Murashima
S
S
Katoh
N
N
Yamakado
K
K
Noriki
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D005629:Frozen Sections; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed