DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF TRANSTHORACIC CORE NEEDLE BIOPSY

TYPE: Abstract Publication TOPIC: Procedures PURPOSE: We are presenting the results of computed tomography-guided transthoracic lung nodule biopsies in single centre over three years period. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data regarding technical success, diagnostic accuracy and complications of transthoracic lung nodule biopsies over three years period was conducted. Semi-automatic (Bard Mission Disposable Core Biopsy Instrument, Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc., USA) and automatic (Bard Magnum, Disposable Core Tissue Biopsy Needle with Bard Magnum Biopsy Instrument and Bard True Guide Disposable Biopsy Needle with Depth Stop) biopsy instruments were used in all cases. RESULTS: From January 2017 to December 2019 115 patients underwent transthoracic lung nodule biopsy. The average diameter of the nodule was 24mm. Diagnosis was achieved in 89,6% (n=103) of patients. There have been 3 inadequate samples and 3 samples with normal lung tissue. Six patients had suspected malignancy. In 75,5% (n=78) malignancy was diagnosed and 24,3% (n=25) had benign lesions. Primary lung malignancy was found in 44 patients, metastatic disease in 31 and lymphoma in 3. Pneumothorax occurred in 34% (n=39) of cases and intrapulmonary hemorrhage in 3,5% (n=4) of patients. Only 2,6% (n=3) of patients were treated surgically for pneumothorax. Intrapulmonary hemorrhage required no surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography-guided transthoracic lung nodule biopsy is especially suitable for primary and secondary lung malignancies, has high diagnostic accuracy and acceptable complication rates. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Transthoracic lung nodule biopsy has a very important role in the algorithm of lung cancer diagnosis, staging and treatment but its use should be a part of collaboration of the radiologist, pulmonologist, cytopathologist and thoracic surgeon. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships. KEYWORDS: transthoracic core needle biopsy, lung cancer