Interventional techniques in the thorax

Transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) has become the diagnostic procedure of ch oice in evaluation of focal chest lesions. Both advances in cross-sectional image guidance and cytopathologic techniques allow TNB to accurately diagn ose malignancy and characterize a spectrum of benign conditions. Image-guid ed percutaneous drainage of intrathoracic collections has developed as an e xtension of similar procedures in the abdomen and pelvis. The ability of CT and ultrasound to accurately detect and characterize parenchymal and pleur al collections, and advances in interventional techniques and catheter desi gn, have made percutaneous catheter drainage the treatment of choice for a variety of intrathoracic collections. This article provides an updated revi ew of the spectrum of image-guided diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the thorax.