Current status of radiologically directed pulmonary thin needle aspiration biopsy. An analysis of 200 consecutive biopsies and review of the literature.

The results of 200 consecutive pulmonary thin needle aspiration biopsies (TNAB) are presented. A diagnostic yield of 89.5 percent was obtained, with 5.5 percent of biopsies insufficient for diagnosis. There were six (3 percent) false negative biopsies and one (0.5 percent) false positive biopsy. The predictive value of positive result was 99.2 percent. The predictive value of a negative result was 90.8 percent. Cytologic examination correctly classified 72.1 percent of primary pulmonary carcinomas. The major complication was pneumothorax which occurred in 33.5 percent of TNAB. Techniques for improving the reliability of TNAB diagnosis are discussed, and pertinent literature is reviewed.