Protective pneumothorax in CT monitored mediastinal puncture.

Purpose: To achieve an extrapulmonary pathway for biopsy of mediastinal masses. Methods: In 6 patients a protective, temporary pneumothorax was established before performing large-bore needle biopsies of mediastinal masses using a Verres-needle. Results: Transpleural, extrapulmonary access was easy to achieve. One patient developed a tension pneumothorax after biopsy which was drained by percutaneous small chest tube. Another patient showed mediastinal tumour bleeding through the biopsy needle. As a prophylactic measure the bleeding was stopped by injection of tissue glue through the biopsy needle. Conclusion: The use of protective pneumothorax allows cutting needle biopsies of mediastinal masses where aspiration cytology yields no secure specific diagnosis.