Diagnostic yield of one-pore versus two-pore ultrasound-guided tru-cut needle pleural biopsy

Abstract

Background Ultrasound (US)-guided tru-cut pleural biopsy is a rapid technique that is cheap, has low complication, provides real-time visualization of the biopsy needle, and is without radiation. Aim To increase diagnostic yield of US-guided tru-cut pleural biopsy by taking biopsy from two different sites and to study factors increasing this yield for an effective, safe, and noninvasive substitute of thoracoscopy. Patients and methods Randomly chosen 80 patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion were scanned by US and classified into two groups: one-pore group where tru-cut US-guided pleural biopsy was done using one opening in the most safe, accessible, thick nodular pleura and the other group is the two-pore group, taking the biopsy from two different site, making two pores instead of one. Results The two groups were comparable to each other in diagnostic yield, with no significant difference, and the factors affecting this yield were the more thickness of pleura, presence of nodularity or masses, and the caliber of the cutting needle. Conclusion There is no need for more than one pore for taking US-guided tru-cut pleural biopsy, and diagnostic yield depends on more needle caliber and the thickness of the pleura.