CT-guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration vs core needle biopsy in diagnosis of lung cancer: A retrospective comparison of diagnostic accuracy

Abstract

Aim: To Evaluate the efficacy differences and complications between CT guided transthoracic fine-needle aspiration samples (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB). Methods: All patients with suspected lung cancer in whom were realized CT guided transthoracic punction for diagnosis. Groups: GroupA (GA) –FNA- and GroupB (GB) –CNB-. FNA was performed using a 22-gauge aspirating needle and CNB was performed using a 18 -gauge automated cutting needle biopsy system. Results: There were 247 patients from 2007 to 2013, 166 (67.2%) in GA and 81(32,8%) in GB. In GA 126(75,9%) were men and 63(77,8%) in GB (p -ns-). Median age was 69±11 years in GA and 70,2±12 in GB (p ns). Comparing groups, we didn´t find differences in comorbidities, pulmonary localization, histological type. A definitive diagnosis was obtained in GA 122(73,5 %) and with GB 57(70.4 %) (p ns). False-negative were in GA 17(38%) and 4(22.2%) in GB. In both groups the most frecuently histological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma (34.5% GA; 46.6% GB) (p ns). Total complications (p 0,04): in GA there were Pneumothorax 34(20.5%) and 14 (8.4 %) needed pleural drainage (PD). In GB 27(33.3%) pneumotorax (p ns), 11(13.6 %) needed PD (p ns), also 4(4.9%) hemoptysis and 1(1.2%) hemothorax. Conclusions: In our study we did not find any diference between FNA samples and CNB in dianosis rentability. The CNB group had more complications than FNA group but there wasn9t any clinical relevance.