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Transthoracic computed tomography (CT)-guided needle biopsies often are performed to rule out malignancy when lung nodules are detected. However, risks associated with the procedure have been evaluated only in small trials from select centers. To define more accurately the risks for complications from CT-guided biopsy of lung nodules, researchers used 2006 administrative data from four U.S. states that included information on more than 15,000 such biopsies.
Among all biopsy patients, 1% experienced hemorrhage (18% of whom required blood transfusions), and 15% experienced pneumothorax (44% of whom required chest tubes). Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had significant excess risk for both hemorrhage and pneumothorax, and ri…