Thoracoscopic coaxial cutting needle biopsy for clinically suspected lung cancer: technical details, diagnostic...

Little has been described regarding the technical details, diagnostic accuracy, and probable complications of thoracoscopic cutting needle biopsy, which seems to be preferable to transthoracic needle biopsy for patients scheduled to undergo surgery for suspected lung cancer.

This study was a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of patients who underwent surgical biopsy for suspected lung cancer (n = 176). Sixty-two patients underwent thoracoscopic cutting needle biopsy, which was performed via thoracoport using a 16 gauge coaxial cutting needle; the remaining 114 patients underwent excisional biopsy, followed by curative intent surgery.

The sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing lung cancer by thoracoscopic needle biopsy were 57/59 (96.6%) and 1/3 (33.3%), respectively. One false-negative result and one undiagnostic result occurred, but both lesions were correctly re-diagnosed by backup excisional biopsy during the same operation. When analysis was restricted to patients with lung lesions predominantly presenting with ground glass opacity, the sensitivity and specificity were 13/14 (92.9%) and 1/1 (100%), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnosing lung cancer by surgical biopsy in all patients were 164/165 (99.4%), 9/11 (81.8%), and 173/176 (98.3%), respectively. Pleural recurrence was identified in one patient after thoracoscopic needle biopsy whose pleural lavage cytology, performed before biopsy, was negative.

Thoracoscopic cutting needle biopsy can be effectively applied to patients with an indeterminate lung tumor, especially those patients with lesions possessing ground glass opacity. However, further evaluation is necessary to confirm the risk of pleural dissemination induced by this procedure.