[Transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions]

In 1996-2000 in 55 patients (16 females, 39 males) admitted to Department of Phtisiopneumonology in Zabrze because of peripheral lung lesions (diameter 2.5-9.5 cm mean 4.5 cm). The transbronchial aspiration needle biopsy (TANB) was performed as diagnostic procedure during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Subjects classified to TANB showed no pathologic changes in the bronchial tree during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. In all subjects the TANB was performed using special Wang's needles and always under fluoroscopy supervision. Based on pathologic examination of specimens obtained by Wang's needle the diagnosis was established in 29 (52.7%) cases. The most frequent diagnosis was non small cell carcinoma--in 22 (40%) of examined patients. The small cell carcinoma was confirmed only in 1 patient. In 3 (5.5%) patients tuberculosis was diagnosed. TANB was good tolerated by almost all patients, only in 1 patient small pneumothorax was recorded and in 6 cases small bleeding occurred. We conclude that transbronchial aspiration needle biopsy is safe and efficient method in diagnosis of peripheral lung tumors.