BACKGROUNDTo explore the significance of lung biopsy through CT-guided percutaneous paracentesis in the diagnosis of space-occupying lesions of the lung.

METHODSThirty-five patients with space occupying lesions of the lung underwent lung biopsy through CT-guided percutaneous paracentesis and DLTRA-CUT 16G, 18G or 20G soft-tissue-cutting biopsy needles and PICKER IQ computerized tomograph were used.

RESULTSOf the 35 patients, 26 were confirmed by pathological examination to suffer from primary malignant tumor, 1 from metastatic carcinoma, 3 from tuberculosis and 3 from inflammatory pseudotumor. No definite diagnosis was made in two patients. The diagnostic rate was 94.3%. After operation, minor pneumothorax occurred in 5 cases and traces of blood in sputum in 2 cases, however, they didn't need any treatment.

CONCLUSIONSLung biopsy through CT-guided percutaneous paracentesis is a safe and practical technique and may be widely used in hospitals if conditions permit.