title: Percutaneous lung biopsies: performance of an optical CT-based navigation system with a low-dose protocol.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare patients' radiation exposure, technical feasibility, imaging quality and complication rate of percutaneous lung biopsies (PLBs) performed with a low-dose (LD) CT protocol under guidance of an optical navigation system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two consecutive patients with suspected malignant lung lesions were enrolled and randomised into group 1 (PLBs under the guidance of the navigation system) and group 2 (PLBs under the guidance navigation system with an LD protocol). Patients' demographics, lesion features, procedure-related variables and CT image quality for group 2 were recorded and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technical success was 100 % in both groups. The radiation dose to patients' chest was significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1 (group 1: mean TDLP 206  ±  59 mGy·cm, ~ 3.5  ±  1.0 mSv; group 2: 54.2  ± 46.2 mGy·cm, ~ 0.92  ±  0.78 mSv; P < 0.0001). The PNX rate was 12 % in group 1 and 11.1 % in group 2. The haemoptysis rate was 8.0 % in group 1 and 3.7 % in group 2. CT image quality obtained in group 2 was always rated as adequate and as excellent in 15 cases (56.0 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An optical navigation system with LD CT protocol is useful for performing lung biopsies with decreased patient radiation exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Navigation systems are useful tools in percutaneous imaging-guided procedures. • For lung biopsies, low-dose (LD) CT protocols may be used. • Combining LD protocols with optical CT navigation results in significantly reduced radiation exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario Francesco
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: Roberto Luigi
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Cazzato
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luppi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schena
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Del Vescovo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giurazza
authors.forename: Eliodoro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Faiella
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Beomonte Zobel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*