title: Predictors of technical success and rate of complications of image-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung needle biopsy of pulmonary tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate predictors of technical success and complications of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy of potentially malignant pulmonary tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2008 to 2009, technical success and rate of complications of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung needle biopsies of patients with suspicious pulmonary tumors were retrospectively evaluated. The influence on technical success and rate of complications was assessed for intervention-related predictors (lesion diameter, length of biopsy pathway, number of pleural transgressions, and needle size) and patient-related predictors (age, gender, reduced lung function). In addition, technical success and rate of complications were compared between different interventional radiologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred thirty-eight patients underwent biopsies by 15 interventional radiologists. The overall technical success rate was 84.1% and was significantly different between interventional radiologists (range 25%-100%; p<0.01). Intervention-related and patient-related predictors did not influence the technical success rate. The overall complication rate was 59.4% with 39.1% minor complications and 21.0% major complications. The rate of complications was influenced by lesion diameter and distance of biopsy pathway. Interventional radiologist-related rates of complications were not statistically different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Technical success of percutaneous, transthoracic lung needle biopsies of pulmonary tumors is probably dependent on the interventional radiologist. In addition, lesion diameter and length of biopsy pathway are predictors of the rate of complications.
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Stephan
authors: S
authors: Otto
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Birger
authors: B
authors: Mensel
authors: Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Nele
authors: N
authors: Friedrich
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Sophia
authors: S
authors: Schäfer
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Mahlke
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Wolfram
authors: W
authors: von Bernstorff
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Bock
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Norbert
authors: N
authors: Hosten
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Jens-Peter
authors: JP
authors: Kühn
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome