Accuracy and complications of percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsy for the diagnosis of malignancy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Objectives To determine the accuracy of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsy (PTNB) for the diagnosis of malignancy and the associated complication rates in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods This retrospective study included 91 CT-guided PTNBs performed in 80 patients with IPF from April 2003 through December 2016. Data regarding patients, target lesions, procedures, complications, and pathological reports were collected, and the final diagnosis was made. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, percentage of nondiagnostic results, and complication rates were determined. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for nondiagnostic results and major complications. Results Three biopsies (technical failure [ n = 2] and undetermined final diagnosis [ n = 1]) were excluded from the diagnostic accuracy calculation. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 89% (78/88), 90% (62/69), and 84% (16/19), respectively. The percentage of nondiagnostic results was 34% (30/88). Lesion size ≤ 3 cm (odds ratio [OR], 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5–31.2; p = 0.001) and needle tip placement outside the target lesion (OR, 13.7; 95% CI, 1.4–132.2; p = 0.02) were risk factors for nondiagnostic results. The overall and major complication rates were 51% (46/91) and 12% (11/91), respectively. The presence of honeycombing along the path of the needle (OR, 11.2; 95% CI, 1.4–89.1; p = 0.02) was an independent risk factor for major complications. Conclusions CT-guided PTNB shows a relatively reasonable accuracy in diagnosing malignancy in patients with IPF. The complication rate may be high, especially when the needle passes through honeycomb lesions. Key Points • In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsy (PTNB) showed a relatively reasonable accuracy for the diagnosis of malignancy. • Target lesion size ≤ 3 cm and biopsy needle tip placement outside the target lesion were risk factors for nondiagnostic results of CT-guided PTNB. • The complication rate may be high, especially in cases where the biopsy needle passes through honeycomb lesions.