Preliminary clinical experience with a dedicated interventional robotic system for CT-guided biopsies of lung lesions: a comparison with the conventional manual technique.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the performance of a robotic system for CT-guided lung biopsy in comparison to the conventional manual technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients referred for CT-guided lung biopsy were randomly assigned to group A (robot-assisted procedure) or group B (conventional procedure). Size, distance from entry point and position in lung of target lesions were evaluated to assess homogeneity differences between the two groups. Procedure duration, dose length product (DLP), precision of needle positioning, diagnostic performance of the biopsy and rate of complications were evaluated to assess the clinical performance of the robotic system as compared to the conventional technique. RESULTS: All biopsies were successfully performed. The size (p = 0.41), distance from entry point (p = 0.86) and position in lung (p = 0.32) of target lesions were similar in both groups (p = 0.05). Procedure duration and radiation dose were significantly reduced in group A as compared to group B (p = 0.001). Precision of needle positioning, diagnostic performance of the biopsy and rate of complications were similar in both groups (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted CT-guided lung biopsy can be performed safely and with high diagnostic accuracy, reducing procedure duration and radiation dose in comparison to the conventional manual technique. KEY POINTS: • CT-guided biopsy is the main procedure to obtain diagnosis in lung tumours. • The robotic device facilitates percutaneous needle placement under CT guidance. • Robot-assisted CT-guided lung biopsy reduces procedure duration and radiation dose.

Ultrasound evaluation of liver fibrosis: preliminary experience with acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) software.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of acoustic structure quantification (ASQ) ultrasound software in estimating the degree of hepatic fibrosis compared to Fibroscan and liver biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C underwent standard ultrasound examination, ASQ, Fibroscan and liver biopsy. ASQ analysis was conducted by placing a single region of interest (ROI) on each image captured, and calculating mode, average and standard deviation. The sonographic technique was developed through a preliminary evaluation of 20 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve for the diagnosis of cirrhosis (F≥4) with ASQ was 0.77, whereas for the diagnosis of any degree of fibrosis (F≥1) it was 0.71. The AUROC for the diagnosis of cirrhosis (F≥4) with Fibroscan was 0.98, while for the diagnosis of any degree of fibrosis (F≥1) it was 0.94. The difference between the AUROC was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ASQ is a promising new ultrasound software programme which offers encouraging results in the diagnosis of both liver cirrhosis (F=4) and fibrosis (F≥1). However, to date it has not attained the same level of diagnostic performance as Fibroscan.

Prospective evaluation in 123 patients of strain ratio as provided by quantitative elastosonography and multiparametric ultrasound evaluation (ultrasound score) for the characterisation of thyroid nodules.

PURPOSE: This study was done to compare quantitative elastosonography and ultrasound analysis in the characterisation of thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2009 to September 2011, 123 patients with 147 thyroid nodules were included in our study. All patients enrolled had to undergo thyroidectomy because of nodular thyroid disease (goitre or nodules). After preliminary examination with conventional ultrasound (US) and colour Doppler US, the patients were examined with elastosonography, using high-level equipment (Toshiba Aplio XG) and quantitative software (Elasto-Q). Each lesion was characterised using an US score (echogenicity, borders, microcalcifications and colour Doppler pattern), and then by elastosonographic strain ratio. Each patient subsequently underwent thyroidectomy. Histological results were used as the gold standard. RESULTS: Histological examination demonstrated 89 benign and 58 malignant lesions. On average, the strain ratio value was 2.84±2.69 (range, 0.05-14.5; p=0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of the US score were about 56% and 72%, respectively, whereas those of the strain ratio were 93% and 89%, using a cut-off of 2 obtained with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Elastosonography was more accurate than US and colour Doppler US in characterising thyroid nodules (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative elastosonography is a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of thyroid lesions, and can be used to limit fine-needle aspiration cytology and improve the selection of patients for thyroidectomy.

Imaging-guided chest biopsies: techniques and clinical results.

BACKGROUND: This article aims to comprehensively describe indications, contraindications, technical aspects, diagnostic accuracy and complications of percutaneous lung biopsy. METHODS: Imaging-guided biopsy currently represents one of the predominant methods for obtaining tissue specimens in patients with lung nodules; in many cases treatment protocols are based on histological information; thus, biopsy is frequently performed, when technically feasible, or in case other techniques (such as bronchoscopy with lavage) are inconclusive. RESULTS: Although a coaxial system is suitable in any case, two categories of needles can be used: fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and core-needle biopsy (CNB), with the latter demonstrated to have a slightly higher overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous lung biopsy is a safe procedure even though a few complications are possible: pneumothorax, pulmonary haemorrhage and haemoptysis are common complications, while air embolism and seeding are rare, but potentially fatal complications. TEACHING POINTS: • Imaging-guided biopsy is one of the main methods to obtain lung nodule specimens. • CT has the highest accuracy for diagnosis as an imaging guide. • Compared to FNAB, CNB has a higher accuracy for diagnosis. • Pneumothorax and parenchymal pulmonary haemorrhage care the most frequent complications. • Several clinical and technical variables can affect diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.