CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous needle biopsies in thoracic mass lesions

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy guidance for transthoracic needle biopsies. Methods and material: CT fluoroscopy-guided biopsies were performed in 81 patients with thoracic mass lesions. Interrupted CT fluoroscopy technique was used with 50-130 mA at 120 kV exposure parameters and slice thickness of 10 mm. We used aspirating needle in 41 patients, cutting needle in 28 patients, and both in 12 patients. We obtained adequate biopsy material in 69 patients at first attempt. Mean fluoroscopy time was 15.17 s and maximum procedure time was 18 min. Results: Adequate samples for pathological diagnosis were obtained in all lesions. Pathological diagnoses were malignant in 41 patients, benign in 27 patients, and suspiciously malignant in 13 patients. There was no significant difference between diagnostic accuracy of the needles in malignant and benign lesions. Complications were observed in 11 patients (13.5%). Discussion and conclusion: CT fluoroscopy-guided technique provides effective real-time needle biopsy in patients with small tumor size and with tumor located near blood vessels, and in non-compliant patients for diagnosing thoracic lesions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.