The role of ultrasound-guided aspiration biopsy of peripheral pulmonary nodules: our experience.
BACKGROUND
Peripheral lung lesions are difficult to diagnose with conventional methods: ultrasound-guided aspiration biopsy is an interesting prospect having been reported to have good sensitivity and specificity.


METHODS
From January 1991 to August 2001 we investigated, in 268 patients, the role of ultrasound-guided transthoracic fine needle aspiration for cytological diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions. Nodule sizes ranged from 1 to 10 cm.


RESULTS
From 268 patients, we obtained 174 positive specimens for malignancy, of which 155 were positive for primary lung tumors and 19 for metastasis; 76 negative; 9 inadequate; and 9 aspecific. One patient developed pneumothorax after needle aspiration and one patient emophtoe. The nodule size did not affect complication rate and diagnostic outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
This diagnostic procedure appears to be effective, safe and feasible, even in bedridden patients. The cost is low (70Euro), the examination is fast (5-6 minutes) and well-tolerated and, if the specimen is inadequate or non-specific, it is possible to repeat the examination. Ultrasound-guided aspiration biopsy can replace the TC-guided biopsy in patients with peripheral lung nodules.
Scisca
Claudio
C
Unità Operativa di Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria G. Martino, Messina, Italy.
Rizzo
Massimo
M
Maisano
Roberto
R
Monaco
Maurizio
M
Ferrari
Michele
M
Munaò
Stefania
S
Zavettieri
Maria
M
Bonaffini
Orsola
O
Mare
Marzia
M
Rossi
Raffaele Talamo
RT
La Torre
Francesco
F
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*