Percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy of localized pulmonary lesions

ABSTRACT

Over a period of recent two years, 100 patients who had localized pulmonary lesions and underwent percutaneousneedle aspiration and biopsy, were analized. There were 56 malignancies and 44 benign and 79% respectively.Differentiation of malignancy vs. benignity was possible in 89% of cases obviating unnecessary exploratorythoracotomy for diagnostic purpose, Five cases were misinterpreted and eight cases were non-diagnostic oncytology. Inadequate materail was obtained in two cases; one was due to hardness of the mass, which, later,confirmed as chondrosarcoma, and the other was too samll(0.8x1.0cm) to be visible on lateral view. Theobainenability of the tissue was 98%. 14(14%) patients developed pneumothorax; one of them required treatment andthe reminder showed spontaneous resporption. (Transient neglibigle blood tinged sputum was found in 16(16%)cases.) The method, problems and complications are discussed. Authors recommend the percutaneous needle aspirationand biopsy as the initial procedure in diagnostic work-up of pulmonary coin lesions, especially when they aresmaller, more peripheral and metastatic neoplasm is neoplasm is suspected.