Additional value of CT-fluoroscopic biopsy of pulmonary lesions: a retrospective study of 69 patients

JBR-BTR. 2006 Nov-Dec;89(6):298-302.

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CT-fluoroscopic transthoracic biopsy of pulmonary lesions related to their localization and size. The complication rate was also evaluated. Between January 2003 and June 2004, we performed seventy-two CT-fluoroscopic transthoracic biopsies in sixty-nine patients. Lesions were subdivided in subpleural, peripheral and central lesions. The lesions were also subdivided concerning their diameter. Fifty three lesions (77%) had a final diagnosis of malignancy and 13 lesions (19%) had a final benign diagnosis. CT-fluoroscopic transthoracic biopsy had an overall diagnostic accuracy of 84.4%, sensitivity of 80.7%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 54.5%. For lesions between 1 and 3 cm the accuracy was 78.5% for lesions greater than 3 cm 87%. Only one lesion was smaller than 1 cm, this lesion was true positive. There were no false-positive findings. Pneumothoraces were observed in only 7 patients (10%) and there was only 1 small postpuncture hemothorax (1.7%). CT-fluoroscopic biopsy of pulmonary lesions has a good diagnostic accuracy with a very low complication rate. The accuracy is higher for larger lesions, but there is no significant difference for subpleural and peripheral lesions.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biopsy, Needle / adverse effects
  • Biopsy, Needle / methods*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Child
  • False Negative Reactions
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy / methods*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemothorax / etiology
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleura / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleura / pathology
  • Pneumothorax / etiology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Radiography, Interventional / methods*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnostic imaging
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*