EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF IMAGING-GUIDED TRANSTHORACIC NEEDLE LUNG BIOPSY – A REAL-LIFE STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22551/2qd6a018Abstract
Despite global efforts, the challenge of early-stage diagnosis of lung cancer persists. To improve diagnose of peripheral lung tumors, a less invasive, cost-effective, and time-efficient sampling technique is essential. Percutaneous imaging-guided transthoracic lung biopsy meets these criteria. Aims: This study aims to determine the efficacy of imaging-guided transthoracic needle lung biopsy and to identify periprocedural complications and diagnostic success rate in a tertiary pulmonology center. Materials and methods: We conducted in “Marius Nasta” Institute of Pulmonology, from Bucharest, Romania, a retrospective, observational study on consecutive patients diagnosed with lung, pleural or chest wall tumors that underwent transthoracic Computed-Tomography (CT)-scan guided needle biopsy or ultrasound (US)-guided needle biopsy. The efficacy and safety of these procedures were assessed. Results: We enrolled 280 patients, with 261 undergoing CT-scan transthoracic guided percutaneous needle biopsy and 19 undergoing US-guided needle biopsy, between 2021 and 2023. Histopathological results were obtained in 267 cases (95.35%) of lung biopsies, with only 13 (4.64%) inconclusive specimens. The reports identified 225 (80.35%) malignant tumors and 42 (15%) other diseases. Out of 225 malignant tumors, 193 (85.77%) were NSCLC. Out of NSCLC 103 were lung adenocarcinomas (53.36%). Periprocedural complications rate was 23.22%, mainly pneumo-thorax, hemoptysis and alveolar hemorrhage. No fatal outcome was recorded. Conclusions: The study underscores the efficacy of percutaneous CT-guided or US-guided transthoracic needle lung biopsy in clinical practice, with an affordable risk of complications. The implication of a multidisciplinary team is essential for the best outcome.
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