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Ultrasound‐assisted transthoracic biopsy: Cells or sections?
Author(s) -
Schubert Pawel,
Wright Colleen A.,
Louw Mercia,
Brundyn Karen,
Theron Johan,
Bolliger Chris T.,
Diacon Andreas H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.20342
Subject(s) - medicine , pulmonologists , biopsy , radiology , fine needle aspiration , mediastinum , lung , cytopathology , cytology , pathology , intensive care medicine
Physicians increasingly use transthoracic ultrasound (US) as an aid for diagnostic procedures. At the bedside, US helps to visualize neoplasms in the chest wall, pleura, peripheral lung, and anterior mediastinum involving or abutting the pleura. Histology specimens from cutting‐needle biopsies have been shown to be safe and effective. This prospective study determined the yield and safety of US‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) as a first‐line bedside investigation. We recruited 97 consecutive patients, and of these, 85 underwent both cutting‐needle biopsy and FNAB. These were adequate for diagnosis in 81.2% and 80% of cases, respectively, with a combined yield of 90%. Measured with a novel semiquantitative score, FNAB allowed a diagnosis with fewer special investigations than cutting biopsy. US‐guided FNAB by pulmonologists performed best in lung carcinoma and can be recommended as a first‐line investigation in patients with a high clinical suspicion of this diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:233–237. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.