Percutaneous image guided cutting needle biopsy of mediastinal masses: diagnostic yield and complications

To evaluate image guided cutting needle biopsy of mediastinal masses for diagnostic yield and complications. This was a descriptive study. Computed Tomography [CT] and ultrasound guided biopsies of mediastinal masses were performed in 30 patients. Tissue core obtained, were preserved in formalin and sent for histological examination. X-ray chest taken for evidence of pneumothorax and mediastinal widening. Hemoptysis, pneumothorax other complication were recorded. Definite histological diagnosis was obtained in all 30 patients. 70% [n=21] were malignant disease and 30% [n=9] were benign pathologies. Sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 100%. Pneumothorax occurred in 7% [n=2] cases. Hemoptysis occurred in 10% [n=3] cases. Chest intubation was not required in cases of pneumothorax. No hemodynamic instability occurred. There was no major complication. Image guided percutaneous transthoracic cutting needle biopsy in mediastinal masses is an accurate procedure for specific histological diagnosis and has a low complication rate

Percutaneous CT guided cutting need: biopsy of lung lesions

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of CT guided percutaneous cutting needle biopsy [CNB] of lung lesions. Our study was a descriptive study including 63 patients who underwent CT guided percutaneous core needle [cutting needle] biopsy of lung lesions. Of the total sampling, only 53 cases were followed up. Samples taken were preserved in formalin bottle and sent for histopathology. CT scan at the level of the biopsy was taken immediately after the procedure when patient was still on CT table. X-ray chest in erect position was taken after 04 hours to look for development of pneumothorax. Hemoptysis and pneumothorax were recorded. Other complications were also noted. Out of these 53 cases, histopathology showed 32 [60.4%] cases to be malignant, 17 [32.1%] cases benign and 4 [7.5%] cases being non-representative. The histological diagnostic yield [number of correct diagnosis obtained at CNB/number of definitive diagnosis] of this procedure was found to be 92.45% [49/53]. Pneumothorax occurred in 1 out 53 [1.9%] and hemoptysis in 4 of 53 [7.45%]. There was no major complication like hemodynamic instability or death. CT guided percutaneous CNB of the lung lesions is an accurate procedure for a specific histological diagnosis and has a low rate of complications

Knowledge of Radiographiers about radiation protection procedures

To assess the knowledge of radiographers radiation protection in diagnostic radiology. Questions were asked from radiographers of three tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar in November 2005. All radiographers were interviewed by the author according to pre-prepared questionnaire. Questions pertained to principles of radiation protection, permissible occupational dosage, permissible dose for general population, use of foot switch in fluoroscopy, advantage of collimation and effect of increasing Kilo Voltage Peak [KVp] on patient dose. Sampling was convenience sampling. Correct response was 8.8% on question on principles of radiation protection, 0% for question on permissible occupational dosage and dose for general population, 17.7% for query on use of foot switch in fluoroscopy, 77.7% on enquiry on advantage of collimation and 31% correct answers to effect of increasing Kilo Voltage Peak [KVp] on patient dose. Knowledge of radiographers regarding radiation protection procedures and principles was poor