CT/fluoroscopy-guided transthoracic needle biopsy: sensitivity and complication rate in 98 procedures.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate CT/fluoroscopy (CTF)-guided core needle biopsies (CNBs) in the thorax.


METHODS
Ninety-eight biopsies were performed using a core biopsy needle (18G) with a reusable biopsy gun under CT/F. All results were compared to surgery plus histology or to clinical follow-up of >12 months. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated.


RESULTS
For pulmonary biopsies, sensitivity was 94%, specificity 100%, and NPV 73%; no significant correlation between the pneumothorax rate and the intrathoracic penetration depth was found. For biopsies of the mediastinum and pleura, sensitivities were 87 and 80%, respectively; specificity was 100% in both locations. A pneumothorax occurred in 21%, a pneumothorax requiring drainage in 2.0%.


CONCLUSIONS
CT/F-guided CNB is a reliable method to obtain thoracic biopsies, with a complication rate of 2.0%.
Muehlstaedt
Michael
M
Institute for Clinical Radiology, University of Munich-Grosshadern, Munich, Germany.
Bruening
Roland
R
Diebold
Joachim
J
Mueller
Almuth
A
Helmberger
Thomas
T
Reiser
Maximilian
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*