Imaging of Post Transthoracic Needle Biopsy Complications

Can Assoc Radiol J. 2019 May;70(2):156-163. doi: 10.1016/j.carj.2018.08.006. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Abstract

When faced with characterization of a suspicious lung lesion, transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) is the standard technique used to retrieve a pathological specimen. Usual complications reported for this intervention are pneumothorax, hemorrhage, air embolism, and tumor seeding. This pictorial essay illustrates imaging of these complications.

Keywords: Air embolism; Hemorrhage; Infectious seeding; Pneumothorax; Transthoracic needle biopsy complicatons; Tumor seeding.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle / adverse effects
  • Embolism, Air / diagnostic imaging*
  • Embolism, Air / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Seeding*
  • Pneumothorax / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pneumothorax / etiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*