Ultrathin needle aspiration of the lung in infectious and malignant disease

Fifty patients with either malignant (n = 25) or infectious/inflammatory (n = 25) chest lesions had lung aspirations using ultrathin needles, 24 to 25 gauge. The procedure's overall sensitivity was 87%, and the specificity was 100%. The diagnostic yield was 90% (9/10) from peripheral malignant coin lesions, 100% (3/3) from malignant cavities, and 42% (5/12) from infected, nonmalignant cavities. Antimicrobial therapy probably contributed to poor microbiologic results in the latter group. Twenty-two of the patients previously had flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy with negative results. In this select group, a diagnosis was established in 45% (10/22): 7 had malignant lesions, 2 had anaerobic lung abscesses, and 1 had histoplasmosis. In patients with infectious diseases, a variety of bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal infections were confirmed including the diagnosis of Legionella pneumophila in 2 patients. A definitive diagnosis was obtained in 6 of 8 immunosuppressed patients who presented with indeterminate infiltrates on chest radiographs. Complications were minimal, although 21 patients (42%) had COPD, and 13 patients (26%) had moderate to severe hypoxemia (PaO2, 40 60 torr). Mild hemoptysis occurred in 2 patients (4%), and pneumothorax occurred in 4 patients (8%) of whom 2 required chest tube insertion. When compared with other studies using large gauge needles (18 to 22 gauge), ultrathin needle aspiration of the lung produced fewer complications, while maintaining an exceptionally good diagnostic yield.