CT-assisted needle biopsy in pulmonary and mediastinal space-occupying lesions. The effect of spiral CT and various biopsy needles on results

The efficacy of percutaneous CT-guided needle biopsies was investigated in 68 patients with pulmonary lesions and in 65 patients with mediastinal masses. In comparison with conventional multisectional CT, the time needed for the localization of the needle tip could be reduced by use of spiral CT. Comparing aspiration and cutting biopsy needle we achieved a higher accuracy of 94% in case of mediastinal masses and of 90% by using cutting needles. The rate of complications, such as pneumothoraces, is relatively low.