Comparison of digital angiographic images with conventional radiographs for detection of pneumothorax after needle biopsy of lung.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the rate of detection of pneumothoraces from images obtained from a digital angiographic system (1024 x 1024 matrix) and from conventional film-screen chest radiographs, following fine-needle biopsy of the lung.


METHODS
For 102 patients who underwent fine-needle biopsy, 2 digital fluoroscopic chest images and 1 film-screen chest radiograph were obtained during expiration after the biopsy. The images were interpreted by 4 blinded readers.


RESULTS
There were 30 pneumothoraces, of which 96.6% were detected from standard chest radiographs and 54.2% were detected from digital images.


CONCLUSIONS
The detection of pneumothorax from digital images was far inferior to that from standard film-screen chest radiographs. Therefore, standard chest radiographs are recommended after fine-needle biopsy of the lung.
Partrick
M E
ME
Department of Medical Imaging, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask, Canada.
Burbridge
B E
BE
Walker
D R
DR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity