Percutaneous computed tomography-guided lung biopsy of solitary nodular ground-glass opacity.

Abstract

To evaluate the diagnostic performance and safety of percutaneous lung biopsy under computed tomography (CT)-fluoroscopic guidance for ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions. Thirty-eight patients received core biopsy utilizing an automated cutting needle and were evaluated histologically. Five patients had a bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, 3 patients had adenocarcinomas, 18 patients had pulmonary alveoli epithelial dysplasia, 1 patient had a large number of lymphocytes, and 11 patients had a small amount of fibrous connective tissue. Twenty-three lesions (23/38, 60.5%) were located in the upper lobes while 15 lesions (15/38, 39.5%) were located in the lower lobes. Twenty-five lesions (25/38, 65.8%) were located in the right lung while 13 lesions (13/38, 34.2%) were located in the left lung. Three patients had pneumothorax, appeared on CT images performed immediately after the biopsy. Four patients had mild parenchymal hemorrhage along the needle tract or within the lesion. No patient required additional therapy such as a blood transfusion, endotracheal intubation, or chest tube placement after the biopsy. None of the patients had serious complications. Percutaneous CT-guided aspiration can be useful and safe diagnostic procedures for evaluating GGO nodules and a guidance to make a clinical decision for further patient management.