Mohammad Iqbal, Zafar Iqbal, Farooq Ahmed.
Factors determining the diagnostic yield of ct-guided core needle biopsy of lung nodules.
Pak J Chest Med Jan ;20(4):139-41.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to identify the factors determining the diagnostic yield of CT guided core needle biopsy of lung nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 46 patients (from January to October 2013), who underwent CT guided core needle biopsy in the department of Radiology. All the patients were referred from Pulmonology, Medicine, and Cardiothoracic units of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar that is a 1400 bedded tertiary care hospital of the province. RESULTS: Amongst 46 patients, final diagnoses were twenty-three malignant lesions and fifteen benign lesions. The size of the mass was a significant factor contributing to diagnostic yield. Greater the size of the mass, the higher was the chances 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 3 cm., the yield was 100%. Ten patients developed small pneumothorax after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Lesion size was a determining factor in diagnostic yield of CT guided core needle biopsy. Diagnostic yield increases with the increase in the lesion’s size.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com