Complications due to ultrasound transthoracic cutting biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions and lesions in the chest wall and mediastinum

Abstract

Introduction: Evaluation of patients with peripheral lung lesions and lesions of the chest wall and mediastinum is challenging. The nature of the lesion identified by imaging studies can be determined by histological evaluation of biopsies. An important place in this direction is the ever-increasing popularity among thoracic surgeons of the transthoracic biopsy with a cutting needle under ultrasound control (US-TTCNB). Aim: This article aims to outline potential complications that may arise from transthoracic incisional biopsy performed under ultrasound guidance, along with a percentage reduction algorithm and treatment approaches. Materials and methods: The present study is based on 264 patients with CT-detected peripheral lesions of the lung, chest wall, and the mediastinum performed in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Kaspela University Hospital in Plovdiv over a period of 2 years (January 2020 – December 2021). Results: Complications were found in 11 (4.17%) patients. Conclusion: Our established biopsy technique achieves a sufficient amount of biopsy material with a low rate of post-biopsy complications.