Computed Tomography-guided Percutaneous Lung Biopsy With Electromagnetic Navigation Compared With Conventional Approaches: An Open-label, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous biopsy of lung lesions with electromagnetic (EM) navigation and compare them with those of conventional approaches.

Materials and methods: Seventy-nine patients with lung or liver lesions who needed biopsies were enrolled in this trial. All patients were randomly assigned to the E group underwent CT-guided percutaneous biopsies with the EM navigation system or to the C group treated with conventional approaches.

Results: In total, 27 patients with lung lesions were assigned to the E group, and 20 patients were assigned to the C group. The diagnostic success rate was 92.6% and 95% in both groups, respectively ( P >0.9999). The median number of needle repositions in the E group was less than that in the C group (2.0 vs. 2.5, P =0.03). The positioning success rate with 1 or 2 needle repositions for the E group was significantly higher than the C group (81.5% vs. 50%, P =0.03). The median accuracy of the puncture location in the E group was better than that in the C group (2.0 vs. 6.6 mm, P <0.0001). The total procedure time lengthened in the E group compared with the C group (30.5±1.6 vs. 18.3±1.7 min, P <0.0001), but the number of CT acquisitions was not significantly different ( P =0.08). There was no significant difference in complication incidence between the 2 groups ( P =0.44).

Conclusion: The EM navigation system is an effective and safe auxiliary tool for CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy, but lengthen the procedure time.

Trial registration: ChiCTR2100043361, registered February 9, 2021-retrospectively registered ( http://www.medresman.org.cn/uc/project/projectedit.aspx?proj=7591 ).