CT fluoroscopy-assisted puncture of thoracic and abdominal masses: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the benefit of real-time guidance of interventional punctures by means of computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF) compared with the conventional sequential acquisition guidance.


METHODS
In a prospective randomized trial, 75 patients underwent either CTF-guided (group A, n = 50) or sequential CT-guided (group B, n = 25) punctures of thoracic (n = 29) or abdominal (n = 46) masses. CTF was performed on the CT machine (Somatom Plus 4 Power, Siemens Corp., Forchheim, Germany) equipped with the C.A.R.E. Vision application (tube voltage 120 kV, tube current 50 mA, rotational time 0.75 s, slice thickness 10 mm, 8 frames/s).


RESULTS
The average procedure time showed a statistically significant difference between the two study groups (group A: 564 s, group B 795 s, P = 0.0032). The mean total mAs was 7089 mAs for the CTF and 4856 mAs for the sequential image-guided intervention, respectively. The sensitivity was 71% specificity 100% positive predictive value 100% and negative predictive value 60% for the CTF-guided puncture, and 68, 100, 100 and 50% for sequential CT, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
CTF guidance realizes a time-saving but increases the radiation exposure dosage.
Kirchner
Johannes
J
Klinik für Diagnostische Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, Katholisches Marienhospital Herne, Universitätsklinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Herne, Germany.
Kickuth
Ralph
R
Laufer
Ulf
U
Schilling
Esther Maria
EM
Adams
Stephan
S
Liermann
Dieter
D
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*