A New Technique for Transthoracic Biopsy of Lung Changes

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The problem of reaching relatively small regions in the lungs with a thin puncture needle for aspiration biopsy is now to be considered as practically solved (Dahlgren and Nordenström, 1965). Screening has to be undertaken in such examinations with image intensifier and television equipment. In those cases in which “very thin” needles are used (0·6 mm outer diameter) difficulties may be encountered in steering the needle in the lung tissue. Often, however, representative cell material is more easily obtained with relatively thin needles than with very thick ones. By aspiration biopsy from firm solid tissue it may frequently be very difficult to get representative cell material. When relatively stout needles are used, one may easily get blood in the syringe on aspiration. On such and similar occasions repeated punctures of the lesion has to be performed in order to obtain representative cell material. This applies also when with aspiration biopsy one has obtained necrotic material from a tumour. One objection against transthoracic needle biopsy has been that on withdrawing the puncture needle one may implant metastases from tumour tissue. Complications of this kind are probably of rather academic interest. Once the diagnosis of a malignant operable lung tumour is made it will probably soon be removed together with the eventual tumour implants in the surrounding lung tissue. Any risk factor, however, should be considered and avoided if possible.