CT-guided automated cutting needle biopsy by a combined method for accurate specific diagnosis of focal lung lesions

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate a method of automated cutting needle biopsy (ACNB) that combines the use of a long-throw needle, higher mean number of needle passes, and tandem system, in terms of the accuracy of specific diagnosis of small and large lung lesions and the safety of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven ACNBs were performed under computed tomography guidance using a tandem system with a 20-gauge and 18-gauge (through non-aerated lung) automated cutting needle with a throw length of 23 mm. We classified the nodules into 21 small nodules (< or =2 cm) and 36 large nodules (>2 cm). All ACNB diagnoses were divided into three groups: specific, non-specific, and false diagnoses. All of the complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean number of ACNB specimens obtained was 2.0. Of the 35 ACNB procedures for malignant lesions, 33 yielded a specific malignant diagnosis (33/35, 94%). Of the 22 procedures for benign lesions, 17 gave a specific benign diagnosis (17/22, 77%). The diagnostic accuracy for small nodules was no lower than that for large nodules. Postbiopsy pneumothorax occurred in 18 patients (32%). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of the combined method is as high for small lung nodules as for large ones. The procedure has high diagnostic accuracy for the subtypes of lung cancer and an acceptable complication rate.     

CT引导下经皮切割肺活检对弥漫性肺疾病的诊断价值

目的评价经皮切割肺活检术对弥漫性肺疾病的诊断价值及安全性。方法采用自动弹簧式活检枪（14及16G）对29例弥漫性肺疾病患者在CT引导下行经皮切割肺活检,所获组织送病理组织学及免疫组化检查。并对取材成功率、诊断阳性率以及并发症等进行分析。结果29例患者均获得足够行病理检查的肺组织标本,取材成功率达到100％。有25例获得确诊,诊断阳性率达82．8％。并发症主要为气胸以及肺出血,大多数不严重,且经相应治疗后均在1周内消失。结论对于弥漫性肺疾病,CT引导下经皮切割肺活检术无论在手术操作、取材成功率以及诊断阳性率均优于经支气管肺活检（TBLB）。与开胸肺活检（OLB）和电视引导下胸腔镜肺活检（VATS）相比,并发症少且轻微,患者接受度高。该技术值得推广。     

CT-guided cutting needle biopsy of lung lesions--safety and efficacy of an out-patient service

AIM: To determine the safety and efficacy of CT-guided cutting needle biopsy of lung lesions as an out-patient procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A total of 185 consecutive biopsies were performed under CT guidance on 183 patients between January 1991 and December 1998 using 20-gauge (n= 33), 18-gauge (n= 151) or 14-gauge (n= 1) core biopsy needles. A chest radiograph was taken after observation in the Radiology department for 1 h and asymptomatic patients were discharged. RESULTS: The histology was malignant in 150 biopsies (81. 1%) and benign in 23 (12.4%) with 12 false-negative results (6.5%); there were no false-positive results. The sensitivity was 92.6%; specificity 100%; negative predictive value 65.7%; and overall accuracy 93.5%. Pneumothoraces occurred in 48 patients (25.9%); one required aspiration only and four required insertion of an intercostal drain. One patient developed a pneumothorax after discharge. Small haemoptyses occurred in 13 patients without pneumothorax (7.0%), one of whom was admitted. In-patient treatment was required in 10 patients (5.4%). CONCLUSION: Computed tomography-guided cutting needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions is a safe technique with a diagnostic accuracy and complication rate comparable to reported figures for fine needle aspiration biopsy. It can be safely performed on an out-patient basis.     

Mediastinal needle biopsy

A review of 52 consecutive needle biopsies of the mediastinum is presented. The aspirated material yielded cytologic and/or histologic diagnosis in 50 needle biopsies; two needle biopsies failed to yield adequate cellular material for diagnosis. All but two of the 50 patients had confirmation of the biopsy diagnosis by surgical, autopsy, or clinical correlation. In 32 patients, a 20-gauge needle was used for the biopsy. A larger-bore (17-gauge) needle with a cutting device was used in 20 cases to obtain more tissue for histologic diagnosis of benign or unusual malignant lesions. Despite the larger size of the needle, the rate of complications remained low.     

Evaluation of a new transthoracic needle for biopsy of benign and malignant lung lesions.

The results of 88 transthoracic needle biopsies of lung lesions using the Rotex biopsy instrument are analyzed. Of 57 malignant lung lesions, 55 were diagnosed correctly. Two patients with false negative biopsies had technically inadequate examinations. All but one of the 28 benign lung lesions were correctly diagnosed as nonmalignant. One false positive diagnosis of malignancy was made. The occurrence of complications was similar to those reported for conventional fine needle aspiration. The high accuracy rate is attributed to the effectiveness of the Rotex instrument in sampling the lesions and to the use of biplane fluoroscopy.     

Technical note: Percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy using a modified coaxial technique

A modified coaxial technique for the biopsy of small or deeply situated lesions using computed tomographic (CT) guidance is described. A 22-gauge needle was passed coaxially through an outer 18-gauge introducing needle and aspiration biopsy was performed. This modified coaxial technique allows for multiple biopsies to be obtained safely, expeditiously, and repeatedly.     

A specially designed cutting aspiration needle for lung biopsy.

The results of 166 lung biopsy procedures performed on 151 patients using a specially designed cutting aspiration needle are summarized. Excellent tissue cores and fragments of tissue were obtained providing a pathologic diagnosis in 85.5% of attempts. A correspondingly low overall complication rate of 12.7% was obtained.     

CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of intrathoracic lesions by using the transsternal approach: experience in 37 patients.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with computed tomography (CT)-guided coaxial needle biopsy of intrathoracic lesions by using the transsternal approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 37 consecutive patients who underwent CT-guided transsternal biopsy of intrathoracic lesions were evaluated retrospectively. A coaxial needle technique was used in all patients; an 18-gauge needle was used for transsternal penetration, through which a 22-gauge needle was passed to obtain fine-needle aspirates. Five patients also underwent core-needle biopsy with a coaxially introduced 20-gauge needle. Medical records were reviewed for lesion size and location, needle path, number of needle penetrations, reasons for failure, biopsy results, and complications. RESULTS: The transsternal approach was used in mediastinal (n = 32) or intrapulmonary (n = 5) lesions. Transsternal needle sampling of the target lesion was successful in 35 patients. In the remaining two, adequate angling of the transsternal needle could not be achieved. Extrapleural access to the mediastinal lesions was achieved in all but one patient in whom the 22-gauge needle traversed the lung. Major vessels were avoided in most patients; the 22-gauge needle was safely passed through the brachiocephalic vein in one patient with a retrotracheal mass. Thirty-two (91%) of the 35 biopsies yielded diagnostic specimens. No major complications were encountered. Minor complications were pneumothorax in one patient and mediastinal hematoma in another. CONCLUSION: The CT-guided transsternal approach for coaxial core-needle biopsy allows safe access to masses in various locations in the mediastinum and anteromedial lung.     

Optimal needle size for renal biopsy: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

To evaluate the success and complication rates of small (16- and 18- gauge) needles in biopsy of the kidney, the authors performed in vitro biopsy in a cadaveric kidney and in vivo renal biopsy in 141 patients. Best results were obtained with a 16-gauge modified Menghini needle. In vitro, 9.7 +/- 5.7 (mean +/- standard deviation) glomeruli were retrieved, and the average length of tissue cores was 17.8 mm +/- 8.2. In vivo, 10.63 +/- 6.64 intact glomeruli were retrieved, and a definitive histologic diagnosis was achieved in 86% of patients. The frequency of major complications with this needle was 3.5%, and of minor complications, 5.8%. No major complications occurred after biopsy was performed with 18-gauge needles of the same design. However, the retrieval rate of glomeruli with these smaller needles was insufficient. An 18-gauge needle with two cutting edges yielded tissue cores of 11.0 mm +/- 3.5 in length. In vitro, 6.6 +/- 2.3 glomeruli were retrieved; in vivo, 9.92 +/- 6.65. A definitive histologic diagnosis was achieved with this needle in 75% of patients, and rates of 7.1% for major complications and 10.7% for minor complications were encountered.     

Transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy of benign and malignant lung lesions

Transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy (TNAB) of lung lesions is a well established procedure for diagnosing lung lesions. The emphasis in the literature has been on diagnosing malignant lesions with an accuracy rate greater than 90% frequently reported. Experience with 650 patients showed that TNAB can diagnose malignant lesions in 95% of patients with cancer, and more importantly that TNAB can identify benign lesions in 88% of patients with such lesions. In this patient population, 22% of undiagnosed, noncalcified lung lesions were benign. Therefore, TNAB of lung lesions has a potential of limiting diagnostic thoracotomies to fewer than 8% of patients with lung lesions, significantly reducing the number of unnecessary thoracotomies for benign disease. The success of TNAB is affected by equipment, technique, skill, and experience and is enhanced by close cooperation among the various physicians involved.     

Factors affecting diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided coaxial cutting needle lung biopsy: retrospective analysis of 631 procedures

PURPOSE: To analyze variables affecting diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy of lung lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of factors affecting diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle lung biopsy was performed in 631 consecutive procedures with confirmed final diagnoses. Benign and malignant needle biopsy results were cross-examined with correct and incorrect final outcomes to determine diagnostic accuracy. Factors affecting diagnostic accuracy were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis of variables thought to affect diagnostic accuracy. A P value less than 0.05 was interpreted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy of lung lesions was 95% (95% CI: 92.7%-96.2%). Sensitivity was 93%, specificity 98%, negative predictive value 6%, positive predictive value 99%, false-positive rate 0.7%, and false-negative rate 15%. The factors affecting diagnostic accuracy were final diagnoses (benign, 86%; malignant, 99%; chi(2) test, P < 0.001) and lesion size (lesions <1.5 cm, 84%; lesions 1.5-5.0 cm, 96%; lesions >5 cm, 93%; chi(2) test, P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Benign lung lesions, lung lesions smaller than 1.5 cm (which pose technical difficulty), and lung lesions larger than 5 cm (which are associated with a higher necrosis rate) affect diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy of lung lesions.     

改良的CT引导下同轴法经皮肺穿刺活检术应用

目的：探讨CT引导下同轴法经皮肺穿刺活检术的临床应用价值。方法：选择因肺内病变需活检的116例患者,所有患者均采用CT引导下自动活检枪同轴法经皮肺穿刺活检术。结果：116例患者均成功获取病理标本,穿刺成功率100％,病变阳性率94．8％,并发症6例（5．2％）,经对症处理后2～7天后患者身体逐渐恢复。结论：改良CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检术器材简单易得,费用低廉操作简便,穿刺成功率高、并发症发生率低。     

Transjugular liver biopsy in liver transplant patients using an 18-gauge automated core biopsy needle

Aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate accuracy and safety of transjugular liver biopsy using an 18-gauge automated core biopsy needle, in patients underwent liver transplantation. 183 consecutively transjugular liver biopsy were performed in 115 liver transplant patients. An 18-gauge automated core needle biopsy was used in all patients. Technical success was achieved in 182 procedures (99.5%). In one patient we were not able to obtain a liver sample. The mean number of passages was 1.43 (range 1–5). Mean number of fragments was 2 (range 1–12). Mean total length of the specimens was 1.7 cm (range 0.5–3.4 cm). The specimen was adequate for diagnosis in 172 (94.5%) cases and suboptimal or inadequate in 10 (4.5%). Suboptimal or inadequate samples were associated with higher number of passages (2.0 vs. 1.4, p < 0.012), higher number of fragments (4.3 vs. 1.9, p < 0.0001) and decreased total length of the specimens (0.99 vs. 1.73, p < 0.03). As only complication one patient (0.5%) had a large perihepatic hematoma requiring blood transfusion. In conclusion using an 18-gauge automated core needle biopsy, in most liver transplant recipients, an accurate diagnosis can be obtained with one or two passages. This is associated with a low risk of complications.     

CT fluoroscopy-guided cutting needle biopsy of focal pure ground-glass opacity lung lesions: diagnostic yield in 83 lesions

Objective

The objective of our study was to retrospectively determine the diagnostic yield of CT fluoroscopy-guided cutting needle biopsy of focal pure ground-glass opacity lung lesions.

Materials and methods

Biopsies were performed using 20-G coaxial cutting needles for 83 focal pure ground-glass opacity lung lesions (mean lesion size, 12.1 mm). After excluding the lesions for which biopsy specimens were unobtainable and final diagnoses were undetermined, the diagnostic yield, including sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of malignancy and accuracy, was calculated. The lesions were then divided into 2 groups: the diagnostic failure group, comprising lesions with false-negative results and for which a biopsy specimen was unobtainable; and the diagnostic success group, comprising lesions with true-negative results and true-positive results. Various variables were compared between the 2 groups by univariate analysis.

Results

Biopsy specimens were obtained from 82 lesions, while specimens could not be obtained from 1 lesion. Final diagnosis was undetermined in 16 lesions. The sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of malignancy were 95% (58/61) and 100% (5/5), respectively. Diagnostic accuracy was 95% (63/66). The 4 lesions in diagnostic failure group were smaller, deeper, and more likely to be located in the lower lobe and further, for those lesions, number of specimens obtained was smaller, compared with 63 lesions in diagnostic success group. However, none of the differences were statistically significant.

Conclusion

CT fluoroscopy-guided cutting needle biopsy provided high diagnostic yield for focal pure ground-glass opacity lung lesions.     

CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检对周围型肺部病变的诊断价值

目的探讨CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检对周围型肺部病变的诊断价值及其安全性。方法对58例周围型肺部病变的患者,在CT引导下行经皮肺穿刺活检。结果 58例患者中穿刺标本经组织病理学检查确诊病例48例,确诊率为82.8%,其中恶性肿瘤32例,良性病变16例。术后出现有症状并发症7例,其中咯血2例,气胸4例,高热伴脓胸1例,总发生率为12.1%。结论 CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检定位准确,成功率高,安全可靠,在周围型肺部病变诊断中具有较高的应用价值。     

CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy using an ipsilateral dependent position

OBJECTIVE: We postulated that the pneumothorax rate of transthoracic needle biopsy might improve with an ipsilateral dependent position of the affected side. We tried to determine the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of CT-guided biopsy with the patient in this position. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: CT-guided needle biopsy with the patient in an ipsilateral dependent position was performed in 23 patients with 17 lung lesions (15 posterior and two anterior) and six mediastinal lesions. Fine-needle aspiration was used in all patients, and core biopsy was also used in six patients. The technical difficulty of the procedure was classified into three grades compared with a routine transthoracic needle biopsy as follows: grade I, no more difficult; grade II, somewhat more difficult; and grade III, much more difficult. RESULTS: Adequate samples were obtained in 22 (96%) of 23 patients. A small asymptomatic pneumothorax occurred in two patients (8.7%). Difficulty was rated grades I, II, and III in 18 (78%), two (9%), and three (13%) procedures, respectively. Four of the five grades II and III procedures were biopsies of anterior lesions. Traversing the pleura was avoided in three of six mediastinal masses. CONCLUSION: Transthoracic needle biopsy of selected lung and mediastinal lesions using an ipsilateral dependent position is feasible, effective, and safe. The role of this technique for reducing the rate of pneumothorax as a result of the biopsy requires further investigation.     

CT-guided cutting needle biopsy of lung lesions--an effective procedure for adequate material and specific diagnose

Objective

Computed guided percutaneous biopsy of lung lesions is widely accepted as an effective and safe procedure for specific diagnose. The purpose of this study is to present the experience of an oncology center in the use of computed tomography (CT)-guided cutting needle biopsy as an effective procedure for adequate material and specific diagnose of lung lesions.

Subjects and methods

This study reports a retrospective analysis of 94 consecutive patients admitted in an oncologic center, reference in Brazil (Hospital do Câncer—AC Camargo), between 1996 and 2004, who were submitted to 97 CT guided cutting needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions. Informations of material adequacy and specific diagnose were studied.

Results

In a total of 97 biopsies of lung lesions, 94 (96.9%) supplied adequate material for histological analyses with 71 (73.2%) as malignant lesions and 23 (23.7%) diagnosed as benign lesions and in 3 biopsies the material supplied was inadequate. The frequency of specific diagnosis was higher in both malignant and benign lesions with 63 (88.7%) cases and 20 (86.7%) cases respectively.

Conclusions

CT-guided cutting needle biopsy is an effective procedure for adequate material and specific diagnostic for malignant and benign lung lesions.     

Lung biopsy with a 12-gauge cutting needle is possible using an insertion sheath in animal models

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The volume of lung tumor core biopsy specimens has been restricted because of concerns for complications such as bleeding and air leakage. In this animal experiment, we investigated the possibility of larger bore biopsies through the peripheral lung parenchyma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lung biopsy was done in male domestic pigs (n= 4) under thoracotomy. A single biopsy using a 12-gauge cutting biopsy needle was done with sheath (sheath group, eight biopsies) or without sheath (nonsheath group, eight biopsies). After biopsy, bleeding time, bleeding amount, and positive airway pressure causing air leakage from the insertion site was compared between groups (Mann-Whitney U test). To observe long-term effects in closed-chest animals, percutaneous lung biopsy with the use of a sheath was carried out percutaneously in male beagles (n = 9). The animals were observed for 3 weeks. RESULTS: In the pigs (sheath group) after biopsy, bleeding flowed through the sheath and formed a sheath-molded fibrin plug that secured the insertion site. Bleeding time and amount decreased significantly in the sheath group compared with the nonsheath group (115 +/- 108 versus 295 +/- 150 seconds, P = .018, and 37 +/- 41 versus 98 +/- 72 grams, P= .027, respectively). Air leakage pressure was significantly higher in the sheath group compared with the nonsheath group (37 +/- 6 versus 18 +/- 5 cmH2O, P = .001). In the beagles, no complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, or airway bleeding was apparent. CONCLUSION: Although we have not evaluated lung tumor biopsy per se, lung tumor biopsy with a 12-gauge cutting needle may be possible with a use of a sheath.     

Ultrasonography-directed native renal biopsy: comparison of an automated biopsy device with a needle system.

The authors compared the performance of an automated biopsy device with a large-bore cutting needle system in ultrasonography-guided native renal biopsy. They retrospectively analysed 52 biopsy specimens from 50 adults with diffuse renal parenchymal disease. Twenty-six consecutive biopsy samples had been obtained manually with a 14-gauge needle (Tru-Cut, Travenol Laboratories, Deerfield, Ill.); a second set of 26 samples had been obtained with a biopsy gun (Bard Biopty, Radiplast, Uppsala, Sweden) fitted with a 14-gauge needle of similar design. The systems were compared in terms of the specimens obtained (the adequacy and the quality of tissue, the number of intact glomeruli and the presence of artifacts) and the incidence of biopsy-related complications. Biopsy specimens obtained with the biopsy gun were judged qualitatively as well as quantitatively superior; they contained an average of 17.6 intact glomeruli, whereas only 11.5 intact glomeruli were retrieved with the needle system. Although the incidence of minor complications was lower after biopsy with the automated gun than after use of the needle system (8% and 15% respectively), two major complications were observed after gun biopsy and none after needle biopsy. The results reported here indicate that for native renal biopsy the Biopty gun delivers a higher-quality tissue core with a lower frequency of minor complications, but not of major complications, than the Tru-Cut needle system.     

Percutaneous biopsy in lung cancer

This paper presents current indications, contraindications, technical aspects, complications and yield of diagnosis of percutaneous lung biopsy in the setting of lung cancer. Percutaneous lung biopsy should be performed each time that the therapeutic strategy can be significantly influenced, when the procedure is technically feasible and to patients for which the benefits outweigh the risks, that are pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage. Factors identified as potentially favouring post-biopsy pneumothorax are numerous whereas the use of a needle size larger than 18 gauge is the major risk factor of bleeding. Although a coaxial system is highly suitable in any case, two categories of needles can be used; those providing aspiration and those for core biopsies. Both offer similar yields for the diagnosis of malignancy, but core biopsies are more efficient for the specific diagnosis of benignity and lymphoma. Technical improvements of guidance, needle design and pathological techniques may contribute to lower the size limit of the nodule to be biopsied, to decrease the complication rate and their severity and to increase the yield of diagnosis.