Diagnostic yield of ultrasound-guided transthoracic biopsy in peripheral lung lesions

Background Ultrasonography (US) guidance of transthoracic needle biopsy of peripheral lung lesions is a useful diagnostic technique. It is a relatively easy and safe procedure under real-time US guidance and may give enough tissue sampling of lesions for histopathological examination. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and safety of this technique in the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions. Patients and methods A total of 60 patients underwent US-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of peripheral lung lesions from November 2017 to October 2018 in the Chest Department. The age of patients ranged from 27 to 79 years, with mean age of 58.4 years. Overall, 48 (80%) patients of the studied group were males, whereas 12 (20%) patients were females. Results According to the final diagnoses, 48 (80%) cases were malignant and 12 (20%) cases were benign. Diagnostic accuracy was 90%, sensitivity was 96%, both specificity and positive predictive value were 100%, and the negative predictive value was 60%. Pneumothorax and hemoptysis occurred in two (3.33%) patients each. Conclusion Chest US-guided biopsy in the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions is a safe and fast procedure with high diagnostic yield and fewer complications.