The value of repeated CT-guided needle biopsy of lung lesions

Objective: To explore the value of second CT-guided percutaneous trans-thoracic biopsy of lung lesions. Methods: Repeated CT-guided needle biopsy was performed on 47 in-patients with non-diagnostic lung lesions at first biopsy. The results of second biopsies were analyzed. Results: Of 33 malignancy confirmed by surgery or follow-up, 30 were diagnosed at second needle biopsy resulting in sensitivity of 90.9% (30/33), positive predictive value of 100.0% (0/30) and false negative rate of 9.1% (3/33). Of 14 benign lesions, 1 was suspected malignant at second biopsy resulting in false positive rate of 7.1% (1/14) and accuracy of 80.9% (38/47). Conclusion: Repeated CT-guided lung biopsy has high diagnostic accuracy for patients with suspected malignant lesions. (authors)