title: Transthoracic imaging-guided biopsy of lung lesions: evaluation of benign non-specific pathologic diagnoses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Explore the definitive diagnoses of imaging-guided transthoracic needle biopsies (TNB) with a pathological result of benign non-specific diagnosis in a tuberculosis-endemic area. The secondary goal was to characterize the initial CT imaging findings between malignancy and benign lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  All TNB diagnoses considered to have benign non-specific features at the Radiology Department between January 2007 andDecember 2011 were retrospectively reviewedfor definitive diagnosis based on clinical impressions andfor CT imaging characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-seven cases with TNB were given a benign non-specific diagnosis and had complete pathologic or radiologic follow-ups. Of these 67 cases, 16 (23.9%) were malignant and 51 were benign. Two main definitive diagnoses of benign cases were pulmonary tuberculosis (32.8%) and pneumonia/lung abscess (23.9%). On the CT images, most of lesions in the group of pulmonary tuberculosis (14/22, 63.6%) were not enhanced after contrast administration (p < 0.005), and necrotic mediastinal lymph nodes were significantly found more in final malignancy diagnoses (p < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The definitive diagnoses of benign non-specific diagnoses based on TNB in this tuberculosis-endemic area had a high rate of both malignancy and pulmonary tuberculosis. Hence, repeated biopsies or radiological follow-ups are advised.
authors.forename: Nantaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kiranantawat
authors.forename: Narapong
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Srisala
authors.forename: Jitpreedee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sungsiri
authors.forename: Sarayut L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Geater
authors.forename: Wiwatana
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tanomkiat
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology