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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2008; 29(4): 335-349
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1081278
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Lung Biopsy: Special Techniques

Matthew D. Cham1 , Maureen E. Lane3 , Claudia I. Henschke2 , David F. Yankelevitz2
  • 1Division of Chest Imaging, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
  • 2Division of Chest Imaging, Department of Radiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
  • 3Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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Publication History

Publication Date:
23 July 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Transthoracic needle biopsy of the indeterminate pulmonary nodule is a well-established, highly accurate, and minimally invasive diagnostic procedure. A pulmonary nodule in virtually any location is accessible to transthoracic needle biopsy. A solid understanding of special biopsy techniques enables the operator to overcome the commonly encountered challenges, including small, mobile, and partly obscured nodules. Because biopsy-related complications can be reduced but not completely eliminated, a familiarity with such complications and the procedures used to manage them is essential. A close partnership with the cytology team is crucial in achieving a high diagnostic accuracy during transthoracic needle biopsy. In the future, biopsy-derived microarray analysis may play a greater role in guiding treatment and predicting treatment outcomes.

KEYWORDS

Fine-needle biopsy - lung cancer - lung biopsy - lung neoplasms - pulmonary nodule - computed tomography

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Matthew D ChamM.D. 

Division of Chest Imaging, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College

585 East 68th St., Box 586(J-030), New York, NY 10065

Email: mac9166@med.cornell.edu

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