Ultrasound guided biopsy in peripheral thoracic lesions versus to CT guided biopsy: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: In addition to providing real-time needle imaging during a breath-hold, ultrasound (US) has the benefits of mobility, affordability, and possible time savings without posing a risk to patients' or healthcare professionals' radiation doses. This research set out to assess the safety and effectiveness of both CT and US-guided biopsies in the management of peripheral thoracic tumors. Methods: This current study was carried out on 50 patients aged from 3 to 79 years old, both sexes, with one or multiple thoracic lesions detected in CT chest, at least one of these lesions has pleural contact, with accessible acoustic window. All cases were biopsied under local anesthesia, except two cases who needed general anesthesia. Results: Pleural contact-complication incidence correlation is insignificant. Only the US group showed a significant relationship between pleural contact and operation schedule. US-guided biopsies needed fewer passes than CT-guided (P=0.04). US-guided biopsies yielded similar soft tissue cores to CT-guided biopsies despite fewer passes. Conclusions: It is recommended to prioritize US advice for biopsies of peripheral lung and pleural lesions that have pleural contact between 10 to 50 mm, regardless of the size or location of the lesion. This is because US guidance is more effective than CT guidance.