Microdose CT for postlung biopsy pneumothorax detection: A case series

Pneumothorax is the most common complication of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsy, an important diagnostic procedure in the workup of pulmonary nodules. Timely and accurate detection of pneumothorax postlung biopsy can guide management and prevent further morbidity. We present 3 cases comparing chest radiography (CXR) with microdose CT for detecting postlung biopsy pneumothorax. In each case, microdose CT resulted in diagnostically sufficient images with effective dose ranges of 0.0417-0.0538 mSv, corresponding to an effective dose range of approximately 2.5 CXRs. In case 3, a small loculated pneumothorax not readily apparent on CXR was more easily appreciated on microdose CT. This case series highlights a novel real-world clinical application of microdose CT for postbiopsy pneumothorax detection which has not been well documented previously that warrants prospective evaluation. Studies are needed to assess microdose CT diagnostic accuracy, feasibility, and clinical impact when used in a postbiopsy procedural setting.