To retrospectively assess the diagnostic accuracy and rate of complications of lung biopsies performed by an interventional radiologist at Waitematā DHB in Auckland, New Zealand, comparing outcomes to that published in international literature.

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cause of cancer-related mortality in New Zealand [1]. Computed tomography (CT) guided lung biopsies are a powerful diagnostic tool in the assessment of lung lesions, particularly where flexible bronchoscopy cannot be used to obtain samples – for instance, in peripherally located lesions [2, 3]. This analysis includes CT-guided lung biopsies undertaken by an interventional radiologist between July 2016 and October 2021, at Waitematā DHB. Imaging, histology and follow up results were retrieved from the health information system Clinical Portal....

The average size of lesions with FNA only biopsies was 28 mm, compared to 40 mm for FNA and core biopsies. 11 of 17 (64.7%) FNA-only biopsies and 29 of 34 (85.3%) combined FNA and core tissue biopsies had a definitive histological diagnosis. The most common malignant diagnosis was adenocarcinoma of the lung. 31 out of 51 (60.8%) patients developed post-procedural pneumothorax. This included 15 of 17 (88.2%) patients of the FNA only group and 16 of 34 (47.1%) of the combined FNA and core...

Percutaneous transthoracic CT-guided lung biopsies are a useful, safe, and minimally invasive procedure in the diagnosis of lung lesions. There is a better success rate with FNA and core biopsies, but this may be related to a comparatively larger lesion size for this group. Whilst the rate of pneumothorax in this overall group of patients was relatively high compared to international literature; few required invasive treatment. Furthermore, the presence of any air in the pleural cavity was identified as a pneumothorax in this audit; it...

1. Lung cancer: Health Quality & Safety Commission [Internet]. Hqsc.govt.nz. 2022 [cited 12 March 2022]. Available from: https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-data/atlas-of-healthcare-variation/lung-cancer/ 2. Winokur R, Sullivan B, Madoff D, Pua B. Percutaneous Lung Biopsy: Technique, Efficacy, and Complications. Seminars in Interventional Radiology. 2013;30(02):121-127. 3. de Margerie-Mellon C, de Bazelaire C, de Kerviler E. Image-guided biopsy in primary lung cancer: Why, when and how. Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging. 2016;97(10):965-972. 4. Lee, W. K., Lau, E. W., Chin, K., Sedlaczek, O., & Steinke, K. Modern diagnostic and therapeutic interventional radiology in...