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Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration E-TTNA for Sampling of Lung Nodules
Published on: May 23, 2015
Protective Capnothorax During Transthoracic Needle Biopsy.
John Kavanagh1, Miranda L Siemienowicz2, Stephen Lyen2
1Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging, Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. jokavana@tcd.ie.
Carbon dioxide capnothorax offers a safe method to protect the pleura during transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB). This technique for pulmonary nodules resulted in diagnostic biopsies without complications.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Interventional Radiology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) is a standard procedure for pulmonary nodules.
- Complications often arise from lung or visceral pleura traversal during TTNB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the use of carbon dioxide to create a protective capnothorax during TTNB.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of this novel technique.
Main Methods:
- Five patients underwent TTNB with carbon dioxide capnothorax creation.
- Key parameters included target details, pleural distance, procedure length, CO2 volume, complications, and biopsy outcomes.
Main Results:
- Capnothorax induction was successful in all five patients.
- Carbon dioxide management varied: continuous infusion, spontaneous resolution, or aspiration.
- All biopsies were diagnostic, with no periprocedural or postprocedural complications.
Conclusions:
- Protective iatrogenic capnothorax using carbon dioxide is a safe and effective TTNB adjunct.
- Carbon dioxide's properties and availability make it a promising alternative to room air for this procedure.
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