Outcome of ultrasound-guided transthoracic needle lung biopsy for diagnosis lung cancer

Abstract

Introduction: The lung cancer is one of most common types of cancers and the leading cause of death in Thailand. Diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer requires a lung biopsy for pathological examination. A lung biopsy can be performed in several ways, each with different efficacy and complications. The choice of lung biopsy method depends on the location of the mass, the size and the patient's clinical condition.

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the diagnostic value and the complications of ultrasound-guided transthoracic needle lung biopsy for the diagnosis of lung cancer in patients suspected of lung cancer from chest computed tomography (CT)

Methods: This was a retrospective study of the patients suspected of lung cancer with peripheral lung or mediastinal mass from CT image who received treatment at the Internal Medicine outpatient clinic, Ratchaburi Hospital from November 1, 2019 to September 30, 2021. The patients had undergone ultrasound-guided transthoracic needle lung biopsy to determine the incidence of lung cancer diagnosis from the procedure and factors related to cancer detection.Results: 141 patients were included, 101 were male and the mean age was 61.4 years old. The lung biopsy result come back positive for malignancy in 126 patients, 13 patients with benign lung tissue and 2 patients with necrotic features. Incidence of lung cancer detected from the procedure was 89.4%. 3 patients had hemoptysis and one patient had pneumonia after the procedure. We found that lung cancer detection from this method is associated with patients with lung mass greater than 5 cm. and the located at upper lobe of the lung or mediastinum Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided transthoracic needle lung biopsy is effective and safe for diagnosis lung cancer in patients suspected of lung cancer with peripheral lung or mediastinal mass from CT image and more specified in cases of lung mass greater than 5 cm. and the located at upper lobe of the lung or mediastinumKey words: lung cancer, needle lung biopsy, peripheral lung mass