Transthoracic needle biopsy with a coaxially placed 20-gauge automated cutting needle: results in 122 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the utility of coaxial transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) with use of a 20-gauge automated cutting biopsy needle in the diagnosis of thoracic lesions.


METHODS
A retrospective review was performed in 122 patients. Computed tomography was used to guide coaxial TNB, which was performed with aspirating (n = 87) and automated cutting (n = 99) needles. The sensitivities for malignant and benign lesions were determined, with a comparison of the relative yields from the two techniques.


RESULTS
The overall diagnostic yield for coaxial TNB was 88%. For malignancy the sensitivity was 95%, whereas a specific benign diagnosis was obtained in 91%. Although no difference was found for fine-needle aspiration versus core biopsy of malignant lesions (92% vs 86%), a statistically significant difference was found for benign lesions (44% vs 100%, P<.05). Pneumothorax occurred in 54%.


CONCLUSIONS
Coaxial TNB performed with an automated cutting needle helps provide a diagnosis in the majority of patients with focal chest disease and is particularly useful in the diagnosis of benign lesions.
Klein
J S
JS
Department of Radiology, St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Salomon
G
G
Stewart
E A
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed