Track sealing in CT-guided lung biopsy using gelatin sponge slurry versus saline in reducing post-biopsy pneumothorax: a prospective randomised study

To compare the efficacy of two track sealing techniques following CT-guided lung biopsy, using either gelatin sponge slurry (GSS) or saline to reduce the rate of post-biopsy pneumothorax. In this prospective study, patients referred for a CT-guided lung biopsy, in whom the needle would pass through aerated lung, were randomly assigned to receive either GSS or saline track sealing technique in a 1:1 ratio. All biopsies were performed using a 19-gauge coaxial needle in a tertiary hospital by one of four interventional radiologists with varying levels of experience. The outcomes were pneumothorax occurrence, pneumothorax-related intervention (simple aspiration and/or drainage) and biopsy-related hospital stay length. A total of 266 patients (median age, 66.2 years; range, 25.5-89.2 years; 150 men) were included between July 2019 and January 2023 and randomly distributed to either GSS (n=132) or saline (n=134) groups. Pneumothorax rates were 12.1% in the GSS group and 24.6% in the saline group (p=.008). Hospital length of stay was significantly shorter in the GSS group (p=.003). There was no significant difference in pneumothorax-related intervention between the groups (6.8% vs. 12.7%; p=.107). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, track sealing with GSS was a protective factor for pneumothorax (OR: 0.44, 95%CI: 0.22-0.87; p=.019), and emphysema was associated with higher risk of pneumothorax (OR: 2.67, 95%CI: 1.31-5.44; p=.007). Track sealing with GSS following a CT-guided lung biopsy is significantly more efficient than saline in reducing post-biopsy pneumothorax, and results in shorter hospital stay.