Cone-Beam CT Virtual Navigation-Guided Percutaneous Needle Biopsy of Suspicious Pleural Metastasis: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) virtual navigation-guided percutaneous pleural biopsy for suspected malignant pleural disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 59 patients (31 males and 28 females; mean age, 63.4 years) with suspected malignant pleural disease diagnosed with CBCT from December 2010 to December 2016. Sixty-three CBCT-guided biopsies were performed using a coaxial system with 18- or 20-gauge cutting needles. Procedural details, diagnostic performance, radiation exposure, and complication rates were investigated. RESULTS: The mean diameter perpendicular to the pleura of 51 focal and 12 diffuse pleural lesions was 1.53 ± 0.76 cm. The mean distance from the skin to the target was 3.40 ± 1.51 cm. Mean numbers of CT acquisitions and biopsies were 3.21 ± 0.57 and 3.05 ± 1.54. Total procedure time and coaxial introducer indwelling time were 11.87 ± 5.59 min and 8.78 ± 4.95 min, respectively. The mean dose area product was 12013.61 ± 7969.59 mGym(2). There were 48 malignant, 10 benign, and 5 indeterminate lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 93.8% (45/48), 100% (10/10), and 94.8% (55/58), respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for malignancy were 100% (45/45) and 76.9% (10/13), respectively. Four patients (6.8%) with benign pathology during initial biopsy but still showing a high suspicion of malignancy underwent repeat biopsy and three of them were finally diagnosed with malignant pleural disease. There were three cases of minimal pneumothorax and no grave procedure-related complications. CONCLUSION: Cone-beam computed tomography-guided biopsy is an accurate and safe diagnostic technique for suspected malignant pleural lesion with reasonable radiation exposure and procedure time.