Safety and yield of ultrasound-assisted transthoracic biopsy performed by pulmonologists
Date
2004
Authors
Diacon A.H.
Schuurmans M.M.
Theron J.
Schubert P.T.
Wright C.A.
Bolliger C.T.
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Abstract
Background: Transthoracic ultrasound (US) has gained popularity as a tool for visualizing pleural effusions and assisting thoracentesis or chest drain placement. In the absence of effusion, US just as well demonstrates solid masses involving or abutting the pleura, yet biopsy of such lesions is not widely performed by chest physicians. Objective: To assess the feasibility and the safety of US-assisted cutting needle biopsy performed by chest physicians in routine practice. Methods: Lesions involving or abutting the pleura ≥20 mm in diameter on US were sampled with a 14-gauge cutting needle under local anesthesia. Biopsy site, needle direction and depth of penetration were determined with US. The procedure was performed without direct US guidance in 'free-hand' technique. Results: Ninety-one patients underwent 96 cutting-needle biopsies for suspected peripheral lung tumors (n = 44, 46%), pleural-based (n = 39, 41%), mediastinal (n = 10, 10%), or chest wall lesions (n = 3, 3%), which were single in 71%, multiple in 6% and diffuse in 23%. Sensitivity for malignant neoplasms (n = 65) was 85.5% and 100% for mesothelioma (n = 10). Pneumothorax occurred in 4%. Conclusions: US-assisted cutting-needle biopsy of lesions ≥20 mm in diameter is safe in the hands of pulmonologists. The yield for neoplastic disease including mesothelioma is high. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Description
Keywords
bronchodilating agent, adult, aged, article, bleeding, clinical practice, clinical trial, dyspnea, female, fibroma, hand, hemoptysis, human, local anesthesia, lung fibrosis, lung metastasis, lung non small cell cancer, lung sarcoma, lung small cell cancer, major clinical study, male, mediastinum disease, mesothelioma, myeloma, needle biopsy, pain, physician, pleura tumor, pneumothorax, priority journal, safety, sample, sensitivity analysis, thorax wall defect, transbronchial biopsy, tuberculoma, ultrasound, wound, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biopsy, Needle, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Lung, Lung Neoplasms, Male, Mesothelioma, Middle Aged, Pleura, Pneumothorax, Prospective Studies, Pulmonary Disease (Specialty), Sensitivity and Specificity, Surgery, Computer-Assisted, Ultrasonography
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