Value of computed tomography-guided core needle biopsy in diagnosis of primary pulmonary lymphomas

To evaluate the value of computed tomography (CT)-guided core needle biopsy in diagnosis of primary pulmonary lymphoma and its subtypes.

A retrospective analysis of the records of all patients with primary pulmonary lymphoma between January 2005 and August 2011 was performed. There were 25 patients referred to the radiology department for CT-guided core needle biopsy. The success rate and complications were assessed.

A definitive diagnosis and accurate histologic subtype were obtained in 21 patients with a success rate of 84.0%. Diagnosis was made in the other four patients with bronchoscopy and surgery. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was the diagnosis in all patients. Most subtypes were mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas (n = 19). The remaining subtypes included three diffuse large B-cell NHLs, two peripheral T-cell lymphomas not otherwise specified, and one anaplastic large cell NHL. The success rate of core needle biopsy was 95% (18 of 19) for MALT lymphomas, 67% (2 of 3) for diffuse large B cell NHLs, and 33% (1 of 3) for other NHLs. The success rate for MALT lymphomas was significantly higher than that of non-MALT lymphomas according to Fisher exact t test (P = .031). No serious complications occurred in any patients.

CT-guided core needle biopsy is a reliable procedure to assist in diagnosis and classification of primary pulmonary lymphomas, especially MALT lymphomas.