[Pulmonary biopsy with Steel's needle. Practical value]

Eighty-seven biopsies were performed on 76 patients with the pneumatic trephine of Steel: -- 87% of biopsies were interpretable; -- 22% of fragments revealed only unspecific lesions or normal lung tissue; -- 65% of samples gave a credible histological diagnosis. Occurring incidents were mostly pneumothorax (41%) usually minor ones. In only 2 patients was drainage necessary. The superiority of the Steel method over the others arises from its usefulness in diffuse pneumopathies and its being better tolerated.