CT-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy of pulmonary nodules smaller than 2 cm: technical aspects and factors influencing accuracy / Biópsia percutânea com agulha grossa, guiada por TC, de nódulos pulmonares menores que 2 cm: aspectos técnicos e fatores que influenciam a precisão

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy (CT-CNB) of pulmonary nodules ≤ 2 cm, as well as to identify factors influencing the accuracy of the procedure and its morbidity. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study of 170 consecutive patients undergoing CT-CNB of small pulmonary nodules (of ≤ 2 cm) between January of 2010 and August of 2015. Results: A total of 156 CT-CNBs yielded a definitive diagnosis, the overall diagnostic accuracy being 92.3%. Larger lesions were associated with a higher overall accuracy (OR = 1.30; p = 0.007). Parenchymal hemorrhage occurring during the procedure led to lower accuracy rates (OR = 0.13; p = 0.022). Pneumothorax was the most common complication. A pleura-to-lesion distance > 3 cm was identified as a risk factor for pneumothorax (OR = 16.94), whereas performing a blood patch after biopsy was a protective factor for pneumothorax (OR = 0.18). Conclusions: Small nodules (of < 2 cm) represent a technical challenge for diagnosis. CT-CNB is an excellent diagnostic tool, its accuracy being high.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a precisão diagnóstica da biópsia percutânea com agulha grossa, guiada por TC - doravante denominada BAG-TC - de nódulos pulmonares ≤ 2 cm, bem como identificar fatores que influenciam a precisão do procedimento e sua morbidade. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, realizado em um único centro, com 170 pacientes consecutivos submetidos a BAG-TC de nódulos pulmonares pequenos (≤ 2 cm) entre janeiro de 2010 e agosto de 2015. Resultados: Do total de biópsias, 156 resultaram em diagnóstico definitivo, com precisão diagnóstica global de 92,3%. Lesões maiores estiveram relacionadas com maior precisão global (OR = 1,30; p = 0,007). A presença de hemorragia parenquimatosa durante o procedimento resultou em menor precisão (OR = 0,13; p = 0,022). Pneumotórax foi a complicação mais comum. Uma distância > 3 cm entre a lesão e a pleura foi identificada como fator de risco de pneumotórax (OR = 16,94), ao passo que a realização de tampão sanguíneo após a biópsia foi um fator de proteção contra o pneumotórax (OR = 0,18). Conclusões: O diagnóstico de nódulos pequenos (< 2 cm) é um desafio do ponto de vista técnico. A BAG-TC é uma excelente ferramenta diagnóstica, cuja precisão é alta.

Safety of 12 core transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy in patients on aspirin

Objective: To prospectively assess safety outcome of TRUS guided prostate biopsy in patients taking low dose aspirin. Materials and methods: Consecutive patients, who were planned for 12 core TRUS guided prostate biopsy and satisfied eligibility criteria, were included in the study and divided into two Groups: Group A: patients on aspirin during biopsy, Group B: patients not on aspirin during biopsy, including patients in whom aspirin was stopped prior to the biopsy. Parameters included for statistical analysis were: age, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, hemoglobin (Hb %), number of hematuria episodes, number of patient reporting hematuria, hematuria requiring intervention, number of patient reporting hematospermia and number of patient reporting rectal bleeding. Results: Of 681 eligible patients, Group A and B had 191 and 490 patients respectively. The mean age, prostate volume, serum PSA and pre-biopsy hemoglobin were similar in both Groups with no significant differences noted between them. None of the post-biopsy complications, including number of hematuria episodes (p=0.83), number of patients reporting hematuria (p=0.55), number of patients reporting hematospermia (p=0.36) and number of patients reporting rectal bleeding (p=0.65), were significantly different between Groups A and B respectively. None of the hemorrhagic complication in either group required intervention and were self limiting. Conclusion: Continuing low dose aspirin during TRUS guided prostate biopsy neither alters the minor bleeding episodes nor causes major bleeding complication. So, discontinuation of low dose aspirin prior to TRUS guided prostate biopsy is not required.

CT-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of Pleural Lesions: Evaluating Diagnostic Yield and Associated Complications

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and complications of CT-guided core needle biopsy (CT-guided CNB) of pleural lesion and the possible effects of influencing factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2007 to June 2013, 88 consecutive patients (60 men and 28 women; mean [+/- standard deviation] age, 51.1 +/- 14.4 years; range, 19-78 years) underwent CT-guided CNB, which was performed by two experienced chest radiologists in our medical center. Out of 88 cases, 56 (63%) were diagnosed as malignant, 28 (31%) as benign and 4 (5%) as indeterminate for CNB of pleural lesions. The final diagnosis was confirmed by either histopathological diagnosis or clinical follow-up. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and complication rates were statistically evaluated. Influencing factors (patient age, sex, lesion size, pleural-puncture angle, patient position, pleural effusion, and number of pleural punctures) were assessed for their effect on accuracy of CT-guided CNB using univariate and subsequent multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 89.2%, 86.1%, 100%, 100%, and 67.8%, respectively. The influencing factors had no significant effect in altering diagnostic accuracy. As far as complications were concerned, occurrence of pneumothorax was observed in 14 (16%) out of 88 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed lesion size/pleural thickening as a significant risk factor (odds ratio [OR]: 8.744, p = 0.005) for occurrence of pneumothorax. Moreover, presence of pleural effusion was noted as a significant protective factor (OR: 0.171, p = 0.037) for pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: CT-guided CNB of pleural lesion is a safe procedure with high diagnostic yield and low risk of significant complications.