title: Transthoracic needle biopsy for suspected thoracic malignancy in elderly patients using CT guidance.
abstract: There are few reports of transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) in elderly (>70 years) patients although there is some evidence that age may be a risk factor in developing pneumothorax. We report our experience of 38 patients, age range 70-90 years, who underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided TNB for suspected malignancy of the chest, with particular reference to sensitivity and complication rate following the procedure. The biopsy was obtained using either a spinal needle or, if appropriate, a core of tissue was obtained using a cutting needle. The biopsy showed evidence of malignancy in 27 patients. Pneumothorax occurred in 10 of 40 biopsies. Two patients with pneumothorax required pleural drains; one was discharged the following day and the other required drainage for 3 days. Haemoptysis was not a problem but occurred as a transient postbiopsy event in three patients. In 26 of 40 (65%) episodes the patients were sent home within 24 h of the diagnostic procedure. It is thus quite possible to undertake the procedure on a day case basis. CT-guided TNB is a safe and reliable procedure in elderly patients with suspected chest malignancy and is well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kanthapillai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed