Diagnostic Accuracy and Complications Rate of CT-guided Core Needle Lung Biopsy of Solid and Part-solid Lesion: A Single-institution Experience

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the diagnostic accuracy and risk factors of complications of percutaneous CT-guided transthoracic lung core needle biopsy (CT–TTLB) by stratifying pulmonary lesions by size and consistency. The secondary purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the feasibility and safety of 1-hour patient discharge after (CT–TTLB). Methods: 170 lung biopsies were performed using a semi-automated true-cut needle. There were 116 (68.2%) male and 54 (31.8%) female patients, with a mean age of 60.9±14.24 years (19–91 years). The mean lesion's longest diameter was 6.08±3.33 cm. The lesions were stratified into solid and part-solid lesions. Diagnostic accuracy and adequacy were calculated for all biopsies and for each group separately, as well as the incidence of complications. Complications were stratified into early (discovered within the first hour after biopsy) and delayed (after 1 hour of biopsy) to assess the safety of 1 hour of patient discharge after (CT–TTLB). Results: The overall diagnostic accuracy was 80.6%, with no significant difference between small and large lesions, nor with solid and part-solid lesions. An adequate sample for NGS testing was obtained in 135 core biopsies (79.4%). The most frequent complication was perilesional intrapulmonary hemorrhage and the second most frequent complication was small pneumothorax; seen at a rate of 26% and 15.2% respectively. Large pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement occurred in one patient (1.1%). Most of the biopsy-related complications (98.9%) were discovered in the first hour of the biopsy with only two patients presenting to the ER with the delayed incidence of pneumothorax, which was treated conservatively. Conclusion: Diagnostic accuracy and adequacy were not affected by lesion characteristics or the number of samples. Larger gauge needles and smaller and deeply located nodules were found to have higher complication rates, compared to the larger size, solid, and peripherally located masses. Early discharge after CT-TTLB is associated with little morbidity and no mortality.