Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Needle Biopsy of Pulmonary Nodules: Impact of Nodule Size on Diagnostic Accuracy

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Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous lung biopsies of lung nodules 1.5 cm in diameter.A total of 139 patients (age range, 18-89 years; mean, 62.5 years) underwent CT-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy or 20-gauge core biopsy using an automated biopsy gun. In 37 patients, the lung nodule measured 1.5 cm (mean, 2.8 cm). Diagnostic accuracy was determined by cytopathology results. Major and minor complications were documented.Overall diagnostic accuracy, pneumothorax rate, and thoracostomy tube insertion rates were 67.6%, 34.5%, and 5%, respectively. Of the 98 patients with malignancy, 77 patients (78.6%) had a definite diagnostic biopsy. Overall, nodules>1.5 cm were statistically more likely to result in a diagnostic specimen (73.5%) than nodules 1.5 cm than in those 1.5 cm. However, the diagnostic accuracy for malignancy is high in both groups, with a low risk of complications.

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