Synchronous core-needle biopsy and microwave ablation for highly suspicious malignant pulmonary nodule via a coaxial...

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of computed tomography (CT)-guided synchronous percutaneous core-needle biopsy and microwave ablation (MWA) for highly suspicious malignant pulmonary nodules.

This retrospective study evaluated medical records of 54 consecutive patients (mean age, 65.5 ± 11.2 years) with 62 highly suspicious malignant pulmonary nodules who synchronously underwent percutaneous core-needle biopsy and MWA via a coaxial cannula (Group A) or sequentially underwent these procedures (Group B) from September 2016 to November 2017. All patients were followed up for at least 6 months after MWA. The safety and feasibility of synchronous core-needle biopsy and MWA were analyzed by comparing clinical data, technical success rate, complication, and curative effect per nodule with those of sequential procedures.

Technical success rates were 100% in both groups. The pneumothorax rate was 29.6% (8/27) in Group A and 57.1% (20/35) in Group B, which was statistically different (P = 0.031). In Group A, hemoptysis and pleural effusion rates were 22.2% (6/27), and in Group B, the corresponding rates were 28.6% (10/35) and 20.0% (7/35), respectively. No postprocedural pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm, bronchopleural fistula, or needle-tract tumor seeding developed in both groups. After 6 months' follow-up, the effective rates (complete + partial response) in both groups were 100%.

Synchronous core-needle biopsy and MWA via a coaxial cannula is technically safe and feasible in the management of highly suspicious malignant pulmonary nodules, and this procedure has lesser complications and similar effects (both 100% effective treatment) compared with sequential procedures.