Abstract
Purpose: This study was designed to assess different variables of thoracic benign and malignant masses on Computed tomography (CT) guided biopsy and to identify the complication rate of procedure.
Materials and methods: We evaluated 757 CT-guided biopsies of thoracic lesions performed from March 2004 to December 2008, retrospectively. All biopsies were performed by one radiologist. The CTs were assessed by a trained general practitioner for the size and location of lesions and pneumothorax diagnosis and then all CTs were double checked by the same radiologist. Lesions considered benign or malignant based on pathology reports.
Results: Biopsy yielded sufficient tissue for pathologic examination in 612 cases (80.8%); 224 lesions (29.6%) were benign and 388 lesions (51.3%) were malignant (27 small cell and 233 non-small cell tumors). The most prevalent location of lesions was Right Upper Lobe (182 cases). 78 masses were located in mediastinum and 41 lesions in chest wall. 44.2% of benign lesions belonged to infectious (69.7% bacterial, 20.2% fungal, 6.1% hydatid cyst and 4% TB) and the rest were inflammatory masses (43.8%), granolomatus (5.8%) and neoplastic (6.2%) ones. The mean size of benign and malignant lesions were 6.011 and 7.481 cm, respectively (P.V. <0.05). Complication presented in 40 cases; pneumothorax occurred in 37 (4.9%) and bleeding in 3 (0.4%) patients.
Conclusion: CT-guided needle biopsy seems to be a reliable diagnostic modality with low risk probability of complications for thoracic lesions.
- © 2011 ERS
