PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Y-C. Chang
AU  - C-J. Yu
AU  - W-J. Lee
AU  - S-H. Kuo
AU  - C-H. Hsiao
AU  - I-S. Jan
AU  - F-C. Hu
AU  - H-M. Liu
AU  - W-K. Chan
AU  - P-C. Yang
TI  - Imprint cytology improves accuracy of computed tomography-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00038907
DP  - 2008 Jan 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 54--61
VI  - 31
IP  - 1
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/31/1/54.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/31/1/54.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2008 Jan 01; 31
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate whether imprint cytology can improve the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography-guided transthoracic core biopsy. Between October 1997 and June 2004, thoracic lesions in 622 patients underwent biopsy using 19-gauge coaxial guiding needles and 20-gauge biopsy needles under computed tomography guidance. Touch imprint cytology and histopathology were performed for all biopsy specimens. Of these lesions, 431 (74.1%) were diagnosed as malignant, 151 (25.9%) as benign and 40 (6%) as nondiagnostic. Imprint cytology plus histology shows an improved diagnostic accuracy of 96.4% compared with that of imprint cytology alone (92.3%) or histopathology alone (93.0%). Procedure-related complications requiring further treatment occurred in eight (1.4%) patients. In conclusion, imprint cytology combined with histopathology can improve the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle biopsy.