CT-GUIDED TRANSTHORACIC FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION VERSUS TRANSBRONCHIAL FLUOROSCOPY-GUIDED NEEDLE ASPIRATION IN PULMONARY NODULES

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of CT-guided (CTNAB) and flu oroscopy-guided transbronchial (TBNA) fine-needle aspiration cytology in pulmonary nodules and to compare their complications. Material and Methods: Thirty patients with pulmonary nodules not abutting upon the chest wall and inaccessible to bronchoscopy were randomised for CTNAB or TBNA. Eighteen patients underwent CTNAB and 16 TBNA. Four patients underwent both procedures. Results: In the CTNAB group, a definitive d iagnosis could be made in 14 (78%) out of 18 patients whereas in the T BNA group, a definitive diagnosis was made in 11 (69%) out of 16 patie nts. This difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The f inal diagnosis in 29 out of 30 patients comprised primary bronchogenic carcinoma in 14 patients, metastases in 5 patients, and benign lesion s in 10 patients (34%) of which 3 lesions (30%) were of tuberculous ae tiology. There were 2 asymptomatic pneumothoraces in the CTNAB group a nd no complication was observed in the TBNA group. Conclusion: Both te chniques were safe and effective in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmon ary lesions. TBNA was best suited for lesions larger than 3 cm and loc ated in the middle and lower lobes while CTNAB could be used for any l esions.