Percutaneous CT-guided multisampling core needle biopsy of thoracic lesions.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and the complication rate of percutaneous CT-guided coaxial 18-gauge (1.25-mm diameter) multisampling (five samples) core needle biopsy (CNB) of suspected thoracic lesions.


METHODS
The records of 75 consecutive patients (29 women, 46 men; age range, 33-92 years) who underwent percutaneous CT-guided adjustable coaxial 18-gauge multisampling (five samples) CNB of a suspected thoracic lesion (eight mediastinal lesions, two chest wall lesions, two pleural lesions, and 63 intrapulmonary lesions) were reviewed.


RESULTS
Ninety-seven percent (73/75) of CNB specimens were considered adequate for a specific diagnosis by the histopathology staff. Diagnostic yield was 97% (95% confidence interval, 91-99%) (72/74) (number of correct diagnoses obtained at CNB / number of definitive diagnoses). There were 61 malignant lesions and 11 benign lesions. There was no false-negative result when CNB was considered adequate for a specific diagnosis by the histopathology staff. Pneumothorax occurred in 19% (12/63 intrapulmonary lesions). One patient required placement of a chest tube. Minor postbiopsy hemoptysis occurred and resolved spontaneously in 11% (7/63) of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous CT-guided coaxial multisampling large CNB of suspected thoracic lesions, in a mainly cancer-based population, is an accurate procedure for a specific histologic diagnosis and has a low rate of complications.
Loubeyre
Pierre
P
Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Micheli-du-Crest, CH 1211 Genève 14, Switzerland.
Copercini
Michele
M
Dietrich
Pierre-Yves
PY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000453:epidemiology; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*