Role of needle biopsy in the diagnosis of thoracic lymphoma

While percutaneous fine-needle biopsy has become a standard method in the diagnosis of primary or secondary carcinoma involving the lung or mediastinum, its role in patients with known or suspected lymphoma has been controversial. This paper presents the authors' experience with percutaneous chest biopsies in 40 patients with lymphoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: CT guidance was used in 85% and fluoroscopic guidance in 15% of patients. Fine needles were used to retrieve cytologic material and small tissue cores in all patients, in two-thirds of whom 21- or 22-gauge needles were inserted coaxially through an 18-gauge guiding needle