Ultrasonography-guided Transthoracic Cutting Biopsy of Pulmonary Lesion: Diagnostic Benefits and Safety

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and usefulness of ultrasonography-guided transthoracic cutting biopsy for lung lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients (66 men, 22 women, mean age 59 years) with lung lesions underwent an ultrasonography(USG)-guided transthoracic cutting biopsy. The final diagnosis was based on the findings of surgery and clinical and radiological follow-ups. The histopathologic results and diagnostic accuracy of cutting biopsy were determined. Also, the complication rate was statistically evaluated according to the mass size, number of biopsies, and the presence or absence of pleural effusion. RESULTS: Biopsy specimens were successfully obtained in all patients. 79 of 88 lesions (89.8%) were established by histopathology. The final diagnosis was malignant in 58 and benign in 28. The remaining 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Diagnostic sensitivity for malignant lesions was 89.6% (52/58) and that for benign lesions was 96.4% (27/28). Procedure-related complications occurred in 9 patients (10.2%) including pneumothorax (n = 2) and hemoptysis (n = 7). And there was no significant difference according to mass size, number of biopsies, or presence of pleural effusion. CONCLUSION: USG-guided transthoracic cutting biopsy is a useful and safe method for technically-feasible lung lesions.