Transthoracic lung and mediastinal biopsies obtained with the Tru-Cut technique: 10 years’ experience

Authors: ŞERİFE SAVAŞ BOZBAŞ, ŞULE AKÇAY, FİGEN ÖZTÜRK ERGÜR, CÜNEYT AYTEKİN

Abstract: Percutaneous needle biopsy has been used successfully in many organ systems with excellent results and few complications. In this study, we sought to evaluate percutaneous transthoracic biopsy results using a coaxial system. Materials and methods: The records of 302 patients (mean age, 63.1 years) who underwent percutaneous CT-guided coaxial cutting needle lung and mediastinal biopsy were retrospectively evaluated. Number, diameter, location of the lesions, calcification, and emphysema on lung parenchyma were noted. The number of specimens obtained, complications after the procedure, and treatment of complications were recorded. Results: From lesions identified in 270 patients on thoracic CT, a mean of 5.6 biopsy specimens were obtained in 1 procedure. Pathology results of transthoracic biopsies were achieved in 258 patients (95.5%), of whom 226 (87.5%) were diagnostic. At the final diagnosis, 178 biopsy results (68.9%) demonstrated malignancy. Complications were observed in 68 patients (25.1%). No relationship of age, sex, presence of emphysema on lung parenchyma, or the number of biopsy specimens obtained with the development of complications was observed. Conclusion: Transthoracic lung and mediastinal biopsy using a coaxial system is a well tolerated, minimally invasive procedure that has a high diagnosis rate, provides reliable differentiation of malignant and benign lesions, and has an acceptable rate of complications.

Keywords: Tru-Cut lung biopsy, lung lesions, pneumothorax

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