TRANSTHORACIC NEEDLE-BIOPSY FOR SUSPECTED THORACIC MALIGNANCY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS USING CT GUIDANCE

There are few reports of transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) in elderly (> 70 years) patients although there is some evidence that age may be a risk factor in developing pneumothorax, We report our experience of 38 patients, age range 70-90 years, who underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided TNB for suspected malignancy of the chest, with particular reference to sensitivity and complication rate following the procedur e, The biopsy was obtained using either a spinal needle or, if appropr iate, a core of tissue was obtained using a cutting needle, The biopsy showed evidence of malignancy in 27 patients, Pneumothorax occurred i n 10 of 40 biopsies, Two patients with pneumothorax required pleural d rains; one was discharged the following day and the other required dra inage for 3 days, Haemoptysis was not a problem but occurred as a tran sient postbiopsy event in three patients, In 26 of 40 (65%) episodes t he patients were sent home within 24 h of the diagnostic procedure, It is thus quite possible to undertake the procedure on a day case basis , CT-guided TNB is a safe and reliable procedure in elderly patients w ith suspected chest malignancy and is well tolerated.