Clinical Outcomes and Safety of Percutaneous Lung Biopsy in Outpatient Setting

Outpatient, office-based lung biopsies provide a potential benefit to patients due to decreased cost, improved time efficiency and shorter postoperative observation as compared to inpatient procedures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of computed tomography (CT) guided core lung biopsies in the outpatient setting. 

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database including a single center consecutive cohort of patients who underwent CT guided percutaneous core lung biopsies performed in an independent outpatient interventional radiology office in between February 2019 and March 2022. 

Results: A total of 250 consecutive patients underwent core lung biopsies (138 males, 112 females; mean age 75 years). The average number of samples collected was 2.8 cores per patient. 98% (244/250) of the procedures were performed with an 18-gauge coaxial core biopsy needle. Lung biopsy was uncomplicated in 88% (221/250) of cases without need for further clinical evaluation. Detectable pneumothorax rate was 10% (25/250) with 2.8% (7/250) requiring a chest tube and the remainder not requiring intervention. All chest tubes were managed as outpatients with discontinuation of the chest tubes on follow up in clinic. Clinically significant hemoptysis occurred in 1.6% (4/250) requiring additional observation time in recovery. One patient with hemoptysis required transfer to the hospital with overnight observation.

Conclusion: Lung biopsy is a common procedure performed by Interventional Radiology that typically has been performed in a hospital setting. Office-based procedures provide improved patient access and improved throughput while decreasing cost to the healthcare system. Data presented in this study suggests that office-based outpatient lung biopsies are safe and that complications can typically be managed without hospitalization.