Percutaneous needle biopsy in single lung patients

The occurrence of complications such as pneumothorax after a transthoracic needle biopsy is well known. This event may be life threatening in patients with a single aerated lung, thus altering the risk/benefit assessment of the physician when considering whether to attempt an otherwise indicated biopsy. We review our results in 6 single-lung patients who underwent a transthoracic needle biopsy for pulmonary nodules.