Diagnostic value of computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle biopsy versus radial probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy in peripheral pulmonary lesions

Abstract

To evaluate the value of computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle biopsy (CT-PNB) and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (EBUS-TBLB) in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions(PPLs). The clinical data of 213 patients who were diagnosed as to have PPLs in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between December 1, 2012 and October 1, 2014 were studied retrospectively. The patients were divided into CT-PNB group and EBUS-TBLB group, according to biopsy methods. The diagnostic yield, complications and influencing factors of both groups were evaluated. The diagnostic yield (87.2%, 102/117) and complication rate (18.8%, 22/117) of the CT-PNB group were higher than those of the EBUS-TBLB group(61.5%, 59/96 and 18.8%, 22/117, respectively), the differences being statistically significant (χ(2)=18.906, P=0.000 and χ(2)=10.542, P=0.001, respectively). Analysis of the influencing factors showed that there were statistically significant correlations between pneumothorax and the lesion diameter(χ(2)=5.785, P=0.016) and location(χ(2)=7.559, P=0.006) in the CT-PNB group. The diagnostic yield was correlated with lesion diameter(χ(2)=7.995, P=0.004) and location(χ(2)=4.608, P=0.027) in the EBUS-TBLB group. There was no complicated pneumothorax if the lesions were attached to the chest wall in the CT-PNB group. The diagnostic yield of CT-PNB in PPLs was better than that of EBUS-TBLB. Although CT-PNB had a higher complication rates, most complications were mild.