PITFALLS IN CT-GUIDED TRANSTHORACIC NEEDLE-BIOPSY OF PULMONARY NODULES

Successful performance of transthoracic needle biopsy of pulmonary nod ules under computed tomographic (CT) guidance requires both accurate p lacement of the needle tip within the nodule and withdrawal of an adeq uate sample from the lesion, Failure to complete the biopsy procedure or to establish a definitive tissue diagnosis may be due to a number o f factors, Potential pitfalls in transthoracic needle biopsy include t echnical factors related to the patient, CT scanning, or the biopsy ne edle; factors related to the size, location, or internal characteristi cs of the nodule or to an abnormality within adjacent parenchyma; and com plications that may occur during transthoracic needle biopsy, such as pneumothorax or parenchymal hemorrhage, Awareness of how these pit falls may be avoided or minimized should help expedite the performance of transthoracic needle biopsy and increase the Likelihood of a diagn ostic result.