Thoracoscopic coaxial cutting needle biopsy for clinically suspected lung cancer: technical details, diagnostic accuracy, and probable complications

Little has been described regarding the technical details, diagnostic accuracy, and probable complications of thoracoscopic cutting needle biopsy, which seems to be preferable to transthoracic needle biopsy for patients scheduled to undergo surgery for suspected lung cancer.

The sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing lung cancer by thoracoscopic needle biopsy were 57/59 (96.6%) and 1/3 (33.3%), respectively. One false-negative result and one undiagnostic result occurred, but both lesions were correctly re-diagnosed by backup excisional biopsy during the same operation. When analysis was restricted to patients with lung lesions predominantly presenting with ground glass opacity, the sensitivity and specificity were 13/14 (92.9%) and 1/1 (100%), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnosing lung cancer by surgical biopsy in all patients were 164/165 (99.4%), 9/11 (81.8%), and 173/176 (98.3%), respectively. Pleural recurrence was identified in one patient after thoracoscopic needle biopsy whose pleural lavage cytology, performed before biopsy, was negative.

Thoracoscopic cutting needle biopsy can be effectively applied to patients with an indeterminate lung tumor, especially those patients with lesions possessing ground glass opacity. However, further evaluation is necessary to confirm the risk of pleural dissemination induced by this procedure.