THE EFFICACY OF OPEN LUNG BIOPSY

Background: The morbidity and mortality of open lung biopsy was assessed, and the ability to provide a specific diagnosis in the assessment of patients with diffuse radiographic pulmonary infiltrates was determined. Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken from January 1990 to May 1995 of al...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery 1997-04, Vol.67 (4), p.181-184
Main Authors: Neuhaus, Susan J., Matar, Kevin S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biopsy - methods
Female
Humans
idiopathic lung disease
Lung - pathology
lung biopsy
Lung Diseases - mortality
Lung Diseases - pathology
Lung Diseases, Interstitial - mortality
Lung Diseases, Interstitial - pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Pneumonia - pathology
pulmonary infiltrates
Retrospective Studies
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Summary:Background: The morbidity and mortality of open lung biopsy was assessed, and the ability to provide a specific diagnosis in the assessment of patients with diffuse radiographic pulmonary infiltrates was determined. Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken from January 1990 to May 1995 of all patients undergoing open lung biopsy during the study period. A total of 127 biopsies were performed. The indications were diffuse, infiltrative or multinodular disease. Forty‐two (33%) patients had previously undergone non‐diagnostic trans‐bronchial biopsy. Results: Open lung biopsy obtained a histological diagnosis in 121 (95.3%) patients. Postoperative in‐hospital mortality was 4.7% (six patients). Three of the four patients being ventilated at the time of biopsy died. Thirty‐six (28.3%) patients suffered one or more morbid events. Patients with decreased lung function, as measured by forced expiratory volume, experienced a higher risk of a morbid event (P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the chance of a morbid event and age, sex or the use of multiple biopsy sites. A presumptive diagnosis was made prior to biopsy in 71 patients (55.9%) and was proven correct in 43.6% of cases. Conclusions: Open lung biopsy in patients with diffuse pulmonary disease is an accurate diagnostic tool and has an acceptable morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure.
ISSN:0004-8682
1445-2197
DOI:10.1111/j.1445-2197.1997.tb01936.x