"Oblique path"--the optimal needle path for computed tomography-guided biopsy of small subpleural lesions

• Published in: Cardiovascular and interventional radiology Vol. 19; no. 5; p. 332
• Main Authors: Tanaka, J, Sonomura, T, Shioyama, Y, Kutsukake, Y, Tomita, K, Ushimi, T, Yokoyama, Y, Abe, K, Suzuki, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1996
• Subjects: Biopsy, Needle - adverse effects; Biopsy, Needle - instrumentation; Biopsy, Needle - methods; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Pleural Neoplasms - pathology; Pneumothorax - etiology; Prospective Studies; Radiography, Interventional; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0174-1551
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02570185

To determine the optimal needle path for computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy of small lesions just beneath the pleura. A biopsy of 61 subpleural lesions measuring less than 2.5 cm was done prospectively with regard to the approach and the results. One of two needle paths was randomly chosen: a nearly right angle path (n = 30) or an "oblique path" in which the needle was sharply inclined within the slice, using a course nearly parallel to the pleura (n = 32). One lesion was sampled twice. The procedures were considered successful when diagnostic samples were obtained. The success rate of the oblique path was 81.2% and that of the near 90 degrees path was 43.3% (p < 0.05). For percutaneous biopsy of small subpleural lesions under CT guidance, the oblique path is better than the perpendicular path.