PurposeTo determine the risk factors of pneumothorax and chest tube placement after computed tomography-guided core needle lung biopsy (CT-CNB).Material and methodsVariables that could increase the risk of pneumothorax and chest tube placement were retrospectively analysed in 822 CT-CNBs conducted with 18-gauge non-coaxial CT-CNB in 813 patients (646 men and 167 women; range: 18-90 years; mean: 59.8 years). Predictor variables were age, gender, patient position, severity of pulmonary emphysema, lesion size and localisation, contour characteristics, presence of atelectasis, pleural tag and fissure in the needle-tract, length of the aerated lung parenchyma crossed by the needle, needle entry angle, number of pleural punctures, experience of the operator, and procedure duration. All variables were investigated by ×2 test and logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe overall incidence of pneumothorax was 15.4% (127/822). Chest tube placement was required for 22.8% (29/127) of pneumothoraxes. The significant independent variables for pneumothorax were lesions smaller than 3 cm (p = 0.009), supine and lateral decubitus position during the procedure (p < 0.001), greater lesion depth (p = 0.001), severity of pulmonary emphysema (p < 0.001), needle path crossing the fissure (p < 0.001), and a path that skips the atelectasis (p < 0.001) or pleural tag (p < 0.001); those for chest tube placement were prone position (p < 0.001), less experienced operator (p = 0.001), severity of pulmonary emphysema (p < 0.001), and greater lesion depth (p = 0.008).ConclusionsThe supine and lateral decubitus position, a needle path that crosses the fissure, and a path that skips the atelectasis or a pleural tag are novel predictors for the development of pneumothorax.

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Background: Bleeding in the biopsy tract has been studied for its ability to decrease the risk of pneumothorax with indefinite results in the previous studies. Purpose: To investigate the risk factors for needle-tract bleeding (NTB) and the possible effect of NTB on the pneumothorax and resultant chest tube placement after CT-guided cutting needle biopsy (CT-CNB) of pulmonary lesions. Methods: Predictive variables for NTB and the effect of NTB on the development of pneumothorax and consequent chest tube placement were retrospectively determined in 416 patients who had undergone an 18-gauge non-coaxial CT-CNB (338 men and 78 women; average age, 59.3 years). Patient-related parameters were age, gender, patient position, and severity of pulmonary emphysema. Lesion-related variables were size, localization, and contour characteristics of the lesion. Procedure-related variables were the presence of atelectasis, pleural tag, and fissure in the needle-tract, length of the aerated lung parenchyma crossed by needle, needle entry angle, number of pleural punctures, the experience of the operator, and procedure duration. All variables were analyzed by x 2 test and logistic regression analysis. Results: NTB was demonstrated in 142 of 421 (33.7%) procedures. The predictive variables of NTB were smaller lesion size (p = 0.011) and greater lesion depth (p = 0.002). In patients without emphysema around the lesion, the pneumothorax developed in 44/190 cases (23.1%) without NTB and in 12/95 procedures (12.6%) with NTB (p < 0.001). Conclusion: NTB may have a preventive effect on pneumothorax development, particularly in the absence of emphysema around the lesion.

Intrathecal macrocyclic GBCA administration was not associated with measurable T1 SI changes in the GP and DN as an indicator of brain gadolinium deposition detectable by MRI.

Aim The aim of this article is to determine whether a combination of noncontrast CT (NCCT), three-dimensional-phase contrast magnetic resonance venography (3D PC-MRV), T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences can help to identify acute and subacute dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) with greater accuracy. Methods A total of 147 patients with DVST ( n = 30) and a control group ( n = 117) underwent NCCT, T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences, and 3D PC-MRV from 2012 to 2016. Two experienced observers interpreted the images retrospectively for the presence of DVST. Nonvisualization of the dural venous sinuses on 3D PC-MRV and signal changes supporting acute or subacute thrombus on T2- and T1-weighted images were considered a direct sign of DVST. Also, using circle region of interest (ROI) techniques, attenuation measurement from each sinus was obtained on NCCT. Sensitivity and specificity were computed for these modalities separately and in combination for diagnosis of DVST using digital subtraction angiography as the reference standard. Results Nonvisualization of venous sinuses on 3D PC-MRV (sensitivity 100%, specificity 71%) in combination with both applying Hounsfield unit (HU) threshold values of greater than 60 on NCCT (sensitivity 70%, specificity 94%) and acquiring signal changes supporting DVST on T2- and T1-weighted images (sensitivity 83%, specificity 96%), were found to have 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the identification of acute or subacute DVST. Conclusion The combination of NCCT, T1- and T2-weighted MRI and 3D PC-MRV may allow the diagnosis of acute or subacute DVST and may obviate the need for contrast usage in patients with renal impairment or contrast allergies.