Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Thoracic Biopsy: A Single-Center Experience

Objective: Imaging-guided percutaneous thoracic biopsy is the preferred method for the diagnosis of lesions that cannot be achieved with bronchoscopy. The main reason for this is that it is less invasive and risky than surgical procedures. It is most com monly done with the help of computed tomography. The biopsy can be taken as a true-cut or fine-needle aspiration biopsy for lung, mediastinum, and pleural lesions. The aim of this study was to share our experience of imaging-guided percutaneous tho racic biopsy in a single center. Methods: A total of 78 patients applied with biopsy in our cen ter between 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively screened. Computed tomography was used as the imaging method in percutaneous thorax biopsies. The selected needle was either a fine-needle or true-cut biopsy needle. Results: The patients comprised 67 males and 11 females with a mean age of 63.8 ± 11.5 years. There was no mortality due to treatment in any of the patients. Procedural complications were determined as lung contusion in 1 patient (1.3%) and pneumo thorax requiring aspiration in 3 patients (3.8%). According to the biopsy results, the most frequent pathological diagnosis was non-small-cell lung cancer (26.9%, n=21). In 3 patients (3.8%), the biopsy result was non-diagnostic. Conclusion: The positive diagnosis rate of percutaneous tho rax biopsy under imaging guidance has been reported to be 85-95%. Therefore, an imaging-guided percutaneous thoracic biopsy is a safe and reliable method with low complication rates in pulmonary, hilar, and mediastinal masses.