title: Complications and Yield of Computed Tomography-Guided Transthoracic Core Needle Biopsy of Lung Nodules at a High-Volume Academic Center in an Endemic Coccidioidomycosis Area.
abstract: Previous studies with small sample sizes have shown a wide range of complication rates and no study has investigated the yield of computed tomography-guided transthoracic core needle biopsies (CTTCB) for coccidioidomycosis. To better assess the safety, accuracy, and risk factors for complications of CTTCB of pulmonary nodules, we conducted a retrospective study at a high-volume academic center in an endemic coccidioidomycosis area.
  
  
  
  We conducted a retrospective study of 203 patients who underwent CTTCB of pulmonary nodules between December 2010 and May 2013. We collected demographics, clinical, and radiographic data. Each case was reviewed for complications. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by comparing CTTCB with final diagnoses.
  
  
  
  The overall complication rate was 25 %. Pneumothorax accounted for 24 % of complications with 7 % of pneumothoraces requiring chest tube. 1.5 % were complicated by hemoptysis but none required blood transfusions. There was an association between complications and age, presence of emphysema on CT, traversed lung length, and lesion depth. The overall sensitivity of the CTTCB for all types of lung cancer was 93 %, and specificity of 100 %. The positive predictive value of CTTCB for lung cancer was 100 %. The sensitivity and specificity of CTTCB for a coccidiomycosis lung nodule was 83 % with a specificity of 100 % with a PPV of 100 %.
  
  
  
  Our study demonstrates that CTTCB is a relatively safe method for evaluating lung nodules and highly accurate in evaluating lung nodules due to coccidioidomycosis in an endemic area. The primary risk factors for complications from CTTCB are the presence of emphysema on CT scan, lesion depth, and traversed lung length.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco - Fresno Educational Program, 155N Fresno St., Fresno, CA, 93701, USA. dr.m.sachdeva@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mickey
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sachdeva
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco - Fresno Educational Program, 155N Fresno St., Fresno, CA, 93701, USA.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ronaghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco - Fresno Educational Program, 155N Fresno St., Fresno, CA, 93701, USA.
authors.forename: Paul K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco - Fresno Educational Program, 155N Fresno St., Fresno, CA, 93701, USA.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000368:Aged; D062005:Biopsy, Large-Core Needle / Q000009:adverse effects; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology; D061847:Hospitals, High-Volume; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Biopsy; CT guided; Coccidioidomycosis; Complications; Core needle; Lung nodule