THE ROLE OF FUNCTIONAL RESPIRATORY TESTS IN PREDICTING PNEUMOTHORAX DURING LUNG NEEDLE-BIOPSY

In 243 of 945 patients having lung percutaneous needle biopsy, we retr ospectively evaluated 10 independent variables that potentially influe nce the incidence of pneumothorax (PNX): age, sex, lesion size, number of needle passes, needle intrapulmonary route, distance of the lesion from the chest wall, FEV(1), FVC, residual volume, and total lung cap acity percent predicted, The subjects considered (mean age, 61 years; 192 men and 51 women) performed respiratory function tests within 1 ye ar of the procedure. The sample was also subdivided into four function al groups: restricted patients, obstructed ones, obstructed with alveo lar hyperinflation patients, and normal subjects, The variables signif icantly correlated to PNX were the length of the needle intraparenchym al route (p<0.05) and the distance of the lesion from chest wad greate r than 0 cm (p<0.01). None of the functional parameters was determinan t in predicting PNX occurrence. Bronchial obstruction was not signific antly associated with a higher risk of PNX. Nevertheless, when alveola r hyperinflation was associated with bronchial obstruction, the risk i ncreased significantly (odds ratio, 2.38).