Percutaneous Transthoracic Aspiration Needle Biopsy

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 26; no. 5; pp. 399 - 405
• Main Authors: Sagel, Stuart S., Ferguson, Thomas B., Forrest, John V., Roper, Charles L., Weldon, Clarence S., Clark, Richard E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01-11-1978
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biopsy, Needle - adverse effects; Biopsy, Needle - instrumentation; Biopsy, Needle - methods; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic - pathology; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Hemoptysis - etiology; Humans; Immunosuppression - adverse effects; Lung Diseases - diagnosis; Lung Diseases - pathology; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Middle Aged; Needles; Pneumonia - diagnosis; Pneumonia - microbiology; Pneumothorax - etiology
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(10)62917-7

An experience based on 1,211 patients has shown aspiration needle biopsy to be a valuable technique for diagnosing bronchogenic carcinoma and other localized intrathoracic lesions that are beyond the reach of the fiberoptic bronchoscope. In 896 patients with malignant intrathoracic neoplasm, the aspirate demonstrated malignant cells in 96%. A false cytological diagnosis of carcinoma occurred in 2 patients, for a true positive rate of 99%. However, the true negative rate was only 87%. In 77% of 31 immunosuppressed patients, the causative agent of a focal infectious process was diagnosed. Pneumothorax was the only notable complication, occurring in 24% of patients, with 14% requiring chest tube drainage.
The procedure is relatively simple and rapid, generally causes little patient discomfort, and can be performed in virtually any hospital.