CT Guided Lung Biopsies: An Audit Cycle

Abstract

Aim: To re-audit the practice of CT guided lung biopsies Standard: British Thoracic Society guidelines Methods: The present audit of CT guided lung biopsies has been undertaken to assess if changes in practice instituted following an initial audit in 2003/2004 has improved the diagnostic yield and impacted on the complication rate.Results: 97 biopsies were carried out in 90 patients. The overall diagnostic rate was 85.6 % (66 true positive and 17 true negatives). There were 14 (14.4%) false negatives. 28 (28.9%) patients developed a pneumothorax and 6 patients (6.2%) required insertion of chest drain.Conclusion: The overall diagnostic rate is within the BTS standard and is higher than the previous audit (85.6 % compared to 81 % in the previous audit). The number of biopsies performed has increased significantly. The complication rate for pneumothorax is higher than the BTS standard. The technique of biopsy has also changed with most biopsies now being core biopsies rather than fine needle aspiration (FNA).