In the treatment of lung cancer, histology and molecular studies (EFGR, K-RAS, TTF-1,…) are important factors for individualized therapy. It is necessary to obtain sufficient sample tissue for microscopic, immunohistochemical and molecular analysis. CT-guided coaxial biopsy obtains samples for cytology and histology using a fine needle aspiration (FNA) and a semi-automated cutting needle (SCN) through an introducer needle with a single pleural puncture. The objectives, of this study, are: - To describe the CT-guided coaxial biopsy technique obtaining cytologic and histologic material. - To assess...

49 biopsies of thoracic lesions were performed under CT-guided coaxial technique with a 19G introducer needle. Access to the lesions was as perpendicular as possible to the pleura and chose the shortest approach that crossed the least amount of lung parenchyma and avoided vessels, bronchia, bullae and fissures. The skin entry was sterilised with povidone-iodine solution and infiltrated with lidocaine. The introducer needle (19G) was placed in the proximal edge of the lesion with patient’s breathing suspended.Fig. 1 The inner stylet was removed and the...

The mean age of patients was 63.4 years, 68.2% of them were men and 31.8% women. The mean diameter of lung lesions was 5.1 cm and the mean distance to pleura 2.1 cm. In 44 cases a definitive diagnosis was obtained, 36 malignant and 8 benign. The mean size was 4.2 cm for malignant lesions and 7,1 cm for benign lesions The mean distance to pleura was 2.3 cm for malignant lesions and 1,3 cm for benign. In 39 cases sample tissue was obtained with...

Lung biopsy with a 20G-SCN has a higher sensitivity and lower false negative rate than 22G-FNA for thoracic lesions. Combining cytological and histological samples increases sensitivity in diagnosis of malignant lesions. The CT-guided coaxial lung biopsy is a safe technique that allows multiple SCN and FNA samples with a single pleural puncture allowing a specific histopathologic diagnosis. It’s an important technique in individualized therapy of lung cancer.

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