FACTORS DETERMINING THE DIAGNOSTIC YIELD OF CT-GUIDED CORE NEEDLE BIOPSY OF LUNG NODULES

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to identify the factors determining thediagnostic yield of CT guided core needle biopsy of lung nodules.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 46 patients (fromJanuary to October 2013), who underwent CT guided core needle biopsy inthe department of Radiology. All the patients were referred from Pulmonology,Medicine, and Cardiothoracic units of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar that isa 1400 bedded tertiary care hospital of the province.RESULTS: Amongst 46 patients, final diagnoses were twenty-three malignantlesions and fifteen benign lesions. The size of the mass was a significant factorcontributing to diagnostic yield. Greater the size of the mass, the higher was thechances of yield. Lesions with a size between 1-2 cm., the yield were 87.9%,for lesions with a size between 2.1-3 cm., the yield was 86.7%, and beyond 3cm., the yield was 100%. Ten patients developed small pneumothorax after theprocedure.CONCLUSION: Lesion size was a determining factor in diagnostic yield of CTguided core needle biopsy. Diagnostic yield increases with the increase in thelesion’s size.