Bronchovascular injury associated with clinically significant hemoptysis after CT-guided core biopsy of the lung: Radiologic and histopathologic analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bronchovascular injuries as the causative occurrence for clinically significant hemoptysis after percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 111 consecutive patients who experienced hemoptysis after cone beam CT (CBCT)-guided PTNB from January 2014 through January 2017. Clinically significant hemoptysis was defined as hemoptysis causing hemodynamic instability or oxygen desaturation greater than 10% of baseline. The lesion characteristics were evaluated on CT images. The penetration of bronchovascular structures along the trajectory of the introducer needle and potential penetration at the firing of the biopsy gun were assessed on CBCT images. The cutting injury of bronchovascular structures was histopathologically assessed in biopsy specimens. The associated factors for clinically significant hemoptysis were assessed using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (15.3%; 95%CI, 9.7%-23.2%) had clinically significant hemoptysis. On univariate analysis, the open bronchus sign (P = .004), nodule consistency (P = .012), potential penetration of a pulmonary vessel or bronchus 1 mm or larger at firing (P = .008 and P = .038, respectively), and a cutting injury of a pulmonary vessel 1 mm or larger (P = .007) or a bronchial structure (P = .041) were associated with clinically significant hemoptysis. Multivariate analysis found the following significant associated factors: potential penetration of a pulmonary vessel 1 mm or larger at firing (OR, 3.874; 95%CI, 1.072–13.997; P = .039) and cutting injury of a pulmonary vessel 1 mm or larger (OR, 6.920; 95%CI, 1.728–27.711; P = .006) or a bronchial structure (OR 4.604; 95%CI, 1.194–17.755; P = .027). CONCLUSION: Potential penetration and cutting injury of bronchovascular structures 1mm or larger at firing were independently associated with clinically significant hemoptysis after PTNB.