Journal List > J Korean Soc Radiol > v.73(4) > 1087575

Lee, Han, Jin, and Song: Predicting Factors for Conversion from Fluoroscopy Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy to Cone-Beam CT Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the predicting factors for conversion from fluoroscopy guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) to cone-beam CT guided PTNB.

Materials and Methods

From January 2011 to December 2012, we retrospectively identified 38 patients who underwent cone-beam CT guided PTNB with solid pulmonary lesions, and 76 patients who underwent fluoroscopy guided PTNB were matched to the patients who underwent cone-beam CT guided PTNB for age, sex, and lesion location. We evaluated predicting factors such as, long-axis diameter, short-axis diameter, anterior-posterior diameter, and CT attenuation value of the solid pulmonary lesion affecting conversion from fluoroscopy guided PTNB to cone-beam CT guided PTNB. Pearson χ2 test, Fisher exact test, and independent t test were used in statistical analyses; in addition, we also used receiver operating characteristics curve to find the proper cut-off values affecting the conversion to cone-beam CT guided PTNB.

Results

Short-axis, long-axis, anterior-posterior diameter and CT attenuation value of the solid pulmonary lesion in patients who underwent fluoroscopy guided PTNB were 2.70 ± 1.57 cm, 3.40 ± 1.92 cm, 3.06 ± 1.81 cm, and 35.67 ± 15.70 Hounsfield unit (HU), respectively. Short-axis, long-axis, anterior-posterior diameter and CT attenuation value of the solid pulmonary lesion in patients who underwent cone-beam CT guided PTNB were 1.60 ± 1.30 cm, 2.20 ± 1.45 cm, 1.91 ± 1.99 cm, and 18.32 ± 23.11 HU, respectively. Short-axis, long-axis, anterior-posterior diameter, and CT attenuation value showed a significantly different mean value between the 2 groups (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively). Odd ratios of CT attenuation value and short-axis diameter of the solid pulmonary lesion were 0.952 and 0.618, respectively. Proper cut-off values affecting the conversion to cone-beam CT guided PTNB were 1.65 cm (sensitivity 68.4%, specificity 71.1%) in short-axis diameter and 29.50 HU (sensitivity 65.8%, specificity 65.8%) in CT attenuation value.

Conclusion

Low CT attenuation value and small short-axis diameter of the solid pulmonary lesion affect conversion from fluoroscopy guided PTNB to cone-beam CT guided PTNB.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

A small pulmonary nodule in the right upper lobe of a 47-year-old woman with history of breast cancer.

A. About 1 cm-sized well-marginated, small, round nodule in RUL is noted on the lung setting axial image of the HRCT.
B. CT mean attenuation value is measured using free-drawing ROI on the mediastinal setting of axial image.
C. The nodule was not detected on fluoroscopy performed with the patient in supine position.
D. The operator accordingly performed cone-beam CT guided PTNB with careful adjustment of the needle. The result of PTNB indicated a meta-static adenocarcinoma.
HRCT = high-resolution CT, PTNB = percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy, ROI = region of interest, RUL = right upper lobe
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Fig. 2

A solitary pulmonary mass suspicious for malignancy in the right lower lobe of a 72-year-old man, which was well-marginated, irregular-shaped, and abutting the pleura.

A. Antero-posterior diameter of the mass is measured to about 3.61 cm on the unenhanced axial image of the chest CT.
B. CT mean attenuation value is subsequently measured using free-drawing ROI on the unenhanced axial image.
C. Long-axis and short axis diameters are also measured on the coronal reconstructed image.
D. Fluoroscopic image shows the mass with well-defined margin on the left side. The operator next performed fluoroscopy-guided PTNB with patient in prone position and careful adjustment of the needle; the result of PTNB indicated a squamous cell carcinoma.
PTNB = percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy, ROI = region of interest
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Fig. 3

Box plots of predicting independent variables in conversion of fluoroscopy guided PTNB to cone-beam CT guided PTNB.

A. Box plot comparing the short-axis diameter, long-axis diameter, and AP diameter of pulmonary lesion between the patients who underwent fluoroscopy-guided PTNB vs. cone-beam CT guided PTNB.
B. Box plot showing CT attenuation value of pulmonary lesion of the above 2 groups.
*, • = outlier.
AP = anterior to posterior, PTNB = percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy
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Fig. 4

Receive operating characteristics curve (ROC curve). This graph showed statistically significant independent variables, short-axis diameter and CT attenuation value of the pulmonary lesion. AUC of these variables were 0.753 and 0.722, respectively. We set a cut-off value to 29.50 of CT attenuation that showed 65.8% of sensitivity and specificity, respectively; in addition, we set a cut-off value to 1.65 cm of short-axis diameter that showed 68.4% of sensitivity and 71.1% of specificity.

AUC = area under the curve
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Table 1

Demographics and Image Characteristics between Patients Underwent Fluoroscopy Guided PTNB and Underwent Cone-Beam CT Guided PTNB

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Nonconverted Patients
(n = 76)
Converted Patients
(n = 38)
p-Value
Age 58.45 ± 1.94 57.89 ± 2.40 0.864
Sex 1.000
 Male 48 (68.2) 24 (63.2)
 Female 28 (31.8) 14 (36.8)
Date interval (days)* 9.71 ± 1.41 11.29 ± 1.68 0.498
No. of biopsy 0.004
 ≥ 3 27 (35.5) 5 (13.2)
 < 3 49 (64.5) 33 (86.8)
Surrounded consolidation 15 (19.7) 8 (21.1) 0.869
Abutting
 Vessel 1 (1.3) 7 (18.4) 0.001§
 Pleura 41 (53.9) 18 (47.4) 0.508
Cavitary lesion 11 (14.5) 5 (13.2) 0.849
Margin 0.337
 Spiculated 18 (23.7) 13 (34.2)
 Smooth 34 (44.7) 12 (31.6)
 Irregular 24 (31.6) 13 (34.2)
Location 1.000
 Right upper 20 (26.3) 10 (26.3)
 Right lower 10 (13.2) 5 (13.2)
 Left upper 18 (23.7) 9 (23.7)
 Left lower 28 (36.8) 14 (36.8)
Distribution 0.271§
 Proximal 4 (5.3) 4 (10.5)
 Middle 28 (36.8) 9 (23.7)
 Distal 44 (57.9) 25 (65.8)
Emphysema 26 (34.2) 8 (21.1) 0.148
Patient position 0.083
 Supine 29 (38.2) 21 (55.3)
 Prone 47 (61.8) 17 (44.7)
Complication 0.020§
 Hemoptysis 6 (7.9) 10 (26.3)
 Pneumothorax 6 (7.9) 4 (10.5)

Data in parentheses are percentages.

*Data interval means days between CT exam date and PTNB date.

p value was calculated with the independent sample t test.

p value was calculated with the Pearson χ2 test.

§p value was calculated with the Fisher exact test.

PTNB = percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy

Table 2

Pathologic Results of the Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsies

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Biopsy Results Nonconverted Patients
(n = 76)
Converted Patients
(n = 38)
Total
(n = 114)
Malignancy
 Primary
  Adenocarcinoma 13 4 17
  Squamous cell ca. 7 2 9
  Small cell lung cancer 4 2 6
  Sarcoma 0 1 1
  Neurogenic tumor 1 0 1
  AIS 1 0 1
 Metastatic tumor* 2 2 4
Benign
 CGI 20 8 28
 Organizing pneumonia 10 4 14
 NSCI 9 8 17
 Fungus (aspergillosis) 2 1 3
 Chondroidhamartoma 1 3 4
Failure
 Lung parenchyma 1 2 3
 Necrotic tissue 1 0 1
 Confirmed using VATs 4 1 5

Data in parentheses are percentages.

*Metastatic tumors from breast cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Five cases was confirmed by using the VATs biopsy due to failure of PTNB.

AIS = adenocarcinoma in situ (new name for BAC under the new IASLC), BAC = bronchoalveolar carcinoma, CGI = chronic granulomatous inflammation with/without necrosis, IASLC = International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, NSCI = nonspecific chronic inflammation, PTNB = percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy, VATs = video assisted thoracoscopy

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