Application of 3-Dimensionally Printed Coplanar Template Improves Diagnostic Yield of CT-Guided Percutaneous Core Needle Biopsy for Pulmonary Nodules

Background and Objective: Computed tomography-guided percutaneous lung biopsy is a commonly used method for clarifying the nature of nodules, masses or lung consolidation. However, the diagnostic yield of nodules needs to be improved when compared with masses during percutaneous lung biopsy. In recent years, 3D-printed coplanar templates have been gradually utilized in radioactive seed implantation for lung cancer treatment. However, there is little research on the application of 3D-printed coplanar templates in pulmonary nodules biopsy. Therefore, we conducted a single center and retrospective study to explore the application value of 3D-printed coplanar puncture template-assisted computed tomography-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy of small pulmonary nodules. Methods: 210 patients hospitalized in Taihe Hospital with pulmonary nodules underwent percutaneous core needle biopsy for histopathology diagnosis and were included in the study. 106 patients underwent conventional percutaneous lung biopsy (control group) and 104 patients underwent 3D-PCT-assisted percutaneous lung biopsy (3D-PCT group). The diagnostic yield and incidence of complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: The overall diagnostic yield significantly improved in 3D-PCT group (95.2%) compared with Control group (87.7%) (P < .05); the diagnostic yield for lung nodules smaller than 2 cm in the 3D-PCT group and the control group was 94.4% and 80.5%, respectively, (P < .05). Incidence of pneumothorax (17.3% vs 18.9%) and pulmonary hemorrhage (7.7% vs 9.4%) were not significantly difference between the two groups (P > .05). Conclusions: Studies indicated that application of 3-Dimensionally printed coplanar template improves diagnostic yield of CT-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy for pulmonary nodules, especially for pulmonary nodule smaller than 2 cm.