RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study the accuracy and safety of CT guided and unguided transthoracic fine needle aspiration biopsy in diagnosis of lung lesions. METHOD: The study was carried out in 79 hospitalised patients during the period 1997-1999. In 52 patients having peripheral and large sized lung lesion (> 5 cm in diameter) in chest X-ray unguided FNAB was performed and in the rest 27 patients having relatively central and small sized lesion (< 5 cm). CT guided FNAB was performed. Also in 15 patients having two times failed unguided aspiration, CT guided FNAB was performed. RESULTS: The diagnostic yield of unguided aspiration was 71.1% (37 out of 52). Out of 37 patients 29 (78.3%) had malignant lesion and eight (21.6%) non-malignant lesion. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting malignancy was 90.6% and 100% respectively. Complications were seen in 10 patients (19.3%). Diagnostic yield of CT guided FNAB was 95.2% (40 out of 42), 33 (82.5 %) had malignant lesion, seven (17.5%) had benign lesion. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting malignancy was 97.1% and 100% respectively. Minor complications were seen in three patients (7.1%). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that CT guided