TRANSTHORACIC CUTTING NEEDLE-BIOPSY OF ME DIASTINAL TUMORS

48 consecutive patients underwent biopsy of anterior mediastinal tumor s under sonographic guidance by the use of cutting needles up to 2.0 m m in diameter. The results of needle biopsies were compared with the f inal diagnoses, which was proved with pathologic studies or clinicorad iologic follow-up. In 39 (93%) of 42 malignant tumors malignancy could be readily diagnosed. Examinations of the microcylinders of tissue re sulted in correct histologic diagnoses in 32 (76%) of 42 malignant tum ors including 13 (81%) of 16 Hodgkin's lymphomas, 6 (66%) of 9 non-Hod gkin lymphomas, 2 (66%) of 3 thymomas and 9 (82%) of 11 carcinomas. Al l 6 benign lesions were correctly identified. No complications such as hemorrhage or pneumothorax were encountered.