CT-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy

This paper assesses the diagnostic utility and complication rate of CT-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in unselected, consecutive patients. A total of 109 consecutive, unselected patients (53 male, 56 female; age range, 14--84 years) underwent FNAB with CT guidance (GE 9800 Quick System). All biopsies employed a 19-gauge introducer needle through which a 22-gauge cutting needle was advanced. RESULTS: The sensitivity for proved malignant disease (n = 90) was 94%, and the specificity was 100%. The diagnostic yield for lymphoma (n = 4), mesothelioma (n = 2), and malignant thymoma (n = 1) was low. There was a relatively low complication rate: 19% developed pneumothorax, with 6% requiring chest tube placement