Study of the Efficacy of PET/CT in Lung Aspiration Biopsy and Factors Associated with False-Negative Results

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE@#We compared the outcomes of percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy (PCNA) of lung masses in cases with and without prior positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) information, and investigated the factors associated with false-negative pathological results.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#From a total of 291 patients, 161 underwent PCNA without prior PET/CT imaging, while 130 underwent PET/CT before PCNA. Clinical characteristics, procedural variables, pathological results, and diagnostic success rates were compared between the 2 groups. Among patients with initial negative (non-specific benign) PCNA results, the radiological findings of these groups were compared to evaluate the predictors of false-negative lesions.@*RESULTS@#No significant difference was found in the clinical characteristics, procedural characteristics, and pathological results of the 2 groups, nor was the diagnostic rate significantly different between them (p = 0.818). Among patients with initial negative PCNA results, radiological characteristics were similar in both the groups. In multivariate analysis, the presence of necrosis (p = 0.005) and ground-glass opacity (GGO) (p = 0.011) were the significant characteristics that indicated an increased probability of initial false-negative results in PCNA.@*CONCLUSION@#Routine PET/CT did not have any additional benefit in patients undergoing PCNA of lung masses. The presence of necrosis or GGO could indicate an increased probability of false-negative pathological results.