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CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy

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Abstract

CT-guided biopsy of pulmonary and mediastinal lesions is safe and effective. It is most valuable in those cases in which fluoroscopic guidance is not possible due to resolution or anatomic consideration. CT guidance permits puncture of lesions as small as 0.5 cm, typically not seen fluoroscopically. Sensitivity of biopsy in malignant lung lesions in our series of 83 cases was 92%. Pneumothorax is the most frequent complication (10–60%) and requires chest tube insertion in 5–15% of patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Radiology and Medicine, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, 225 Dickinson Street, 92103, San Diego, CA, USA

    Douglas Gardner, Eric vanSonnenberg M.D., Horacio B. D'Agostino, Giovanna Casola, Steven Taggart & Stuart May

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  1. Douglas Gardner
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  2. Eric vanSonnenberg M.D.
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  3. Horacio B. D'Agostino
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  4. Giovanna Casola
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  5. Steven Taggart
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  6. Stuart May
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Gardner, D., vanSonnenberg, E., D'Agostino, H.B. et al. CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 14, 17–23 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02635526

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