Percutaneous lung biopsy with a semi-automatic, spring-driven fine needle. Preliminary results in 13 patients.

The diagnostic value of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy using a newly designed, semi-automatic, spring-driven fine needle (Autovac, diameter 0.95 and 1.2 mm) was assessed in a study of 13 patients with circumscribed pulmonary lesions (median diameter 50 mm, range 25-100). In all patients, biopsy specimens 2-30 mm long, were obtained for histologic examination. Eleven patients had malignant lesions, in all these the biopsies showed malignancy, and the tumour type was correctly classified in 10 patients. Two patients had benign lesions, one of these was correctly diagnosed by histology. One patient developed pneumothorax at the biopsy procedure. The Autovac needle combines the safety of fine aspiration needles with the qualities of biopsies obtained using larger cutting needles.