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Published in: European Radiology 2/2018

01-02-2018 | Chest

Diagnostic feasibility and safety of CT-guided core biopsy for lung nodules less than or equal to 8 mm: A single-institution experience

Authors: Ying-Yueh Chang, Chun-Ku Chen, Yi-Chen Yeh, Mei-Han Wu

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 2/2018

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Abstract

Objectives

This retrospective study evaluated the diagnostic yield and safety of CT-guided core biopsy of pulmonary nodules ≤8 mm.

Methods

We determined the diagnostic yield and safety profile of CT-guided lung biopsies for 125 pulmonary nodules ≤8 mm. Pathological diagnoses were made by a combination of histopathological examination and imprint cytology. Results were compared with biopsy results for 134 pulmonary nodules >8 and ≤10 mm.

Results

Final diagnoses were established in 94 nodules ≤8 mm. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided core biopsy for nodules ≤8 mm were 87.1 % (61/70 nodules), 100 % (24/24) and 90.4 % (85/94), respectively. Diagnostic failure rates were comparable for nodules ≤8 mm and nodules >8 mm and ≤10 mm (9/94, 9.6 % and 7/111, 6.3 %, respectively, P=0.385). The rate of tube thoracostomy for nodules ≤8 mm was comparable to that for nodules >8 and ≤10 mm (1.6 % vs. 0.7 %, P=0.611). Nodules ≤6 mm had a higher non-diagnostic result rate of 15.4 % (6/39) than did nodules >8 and ≤10 mm (3.7 %, 5/134, P=0.017).

Conclusions

CT-guided pulmonary biopsy is feasible for lung nodules ≤8 mm, especially those >6 mm, and has an acceptable diagnostic yield and safety profile.

Key Points

CT-guided biopsy of lung nodules ≤8 mm has high diagnostic accuracy.
Safety profiles are similar between nodules ≤8 mm and 8–10 mm.
Nodules ≤6 mm have higher rates of non-diagnostic results in biopsy.
Non-subpleural nodules and old age are risk factors for higher grade haemorrhage.
Biopsy is feasible for diagnosing nodules >6 and ≤8 mm.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Diagnostic feasibility and safety of CT-guided core biopsy for lung nodules less than or equal to 8 mm: A single-institution experience
Authors
Ying-Yueh Chang
Chun-Ku Chen
Yi-Chen Yeh
Mei-Han Wu
Publication date
01-02-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5027-1

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