title: [Biopsy of thoracic space-occupying lesions--from computerized tomography to ultrasound-controlled puncture].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Having practised CT-controlled biopsies only, we introduced sonographically guided punctures since 1993 for pulmonary diagnoses. The effects are studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study 166 CT-guided biopsies from 1/89 to 12/95 and 50 sonographically guided biopsies from 7/93 to 12/95 were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By CT, 67% intrapulmonary, 22% peripheral pulmonary and 11% pleuropulmonary, pleural and chest wall lesions were punctured. In 66% a diagnosis could be made. 13% of the patients experienced complications, most of them pneumothorax. Half of the patients subjected to sonographic biopsy showed peripheral pulmonary lesions, the other half tumours of the pleura, pleura and lung, mediastinum and chest wall. In 92% a positive result was obtained, whereas pneumothorax occurred in 2%. Leaving aside the intrapulmonary lesions, which would not have been visible by ultrasound, diagnosis with CT could be achieved in only 56% of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In diagnosis of pleural, peripheral pulmonary and chest wall lesions, ultrasound guided biopsy is a safe, cost-effective, convenient and accurate method without exposure to x-rays.
authors.affiliation: Klinik Nürnberg Nord, Medizinische Klinik 3- Schwerpunkt Pneumologie.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beckh
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Bölcskei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*