High Prevalence of Pneumothorax on PET-CT Studies Performed in Lung Cancer Patients Following Post-Transthoracic Needle Biopsy Mandates Careful Scrutiny

Clin Nucl Med. 2017 Aug;42(8):637-638. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001716.

Abstract

In our practice, FDG PET-CT studies are frequently performed within days of transthoracic needle biopsy, often revealing presence of pneumothorax (PTX), a "critical finding" that should be reported expeditiously. In our experience, prevalence of PTX at PET-CT performed 1 day following biopsy is greater than 40%. Of these, approximately a third are not visible on the postprocedure chest radiography, as in a case we describe. A high level of vigilance is therefore recommended to identify PTX in patients who have undergone recent transthoracic needle biopsy, even when no PTX is present immediately following the biopsy procedure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumothorax / complications*
  • Pneumothorax / diagnostic imaging*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Prevalence
  • Thorax*