ABSTRACT
Transthoracic needle biopsy [TNB] is a well established method for obtaining pathologic diagnosis in the lung masses that is performed after a previous negative bronchoscopy. The goal of this study was evaluation of the safety and accuracy of ultrasonography guided TNB in diagnosis of peripheral lung masses. This descriptive study was done from 2005 to 2006 in Ghaem Hospital. 30 patients with peripheral lung mass, greater than 3[cm] in diameter and within 5[cm] from the chest wall, underwent ultrasonography guided TTNB. Data was gathered in a questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics and frequency distribution tables. Male to female ratio was about 1:2, and mean age was 61.2 years. 60% lesions were located in the right side. Adequate biopsy specimens were obtained in all patients; but TNB was diagnostic in 86.6%, 13.3% patients underwent thoracotomy for definitive diagnosis. Pathological diagnoses were malignant in 83.3%, with SCC and ACC being the most common, and benign in 16.6%, the most common of which was tuberculosis. Complications were observed in 13.3%, including pneumothorax in 6.6%, and hemoptysis in 6.6%; mortality was not observed. According to this study, TNB with ultrasonography guide due to appropriate diagnostic accuracy and low complication rate with low cost and good availability is recommended for diagnosis of peripheral lung mass