The utility of video-assisted thoracic surgery in the diagnosis of pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma.

The definitive diagnosis of pulmonary metastases requires histologic confirmation. Traditional methods of obtaining tissue for histologic review include transbronchial approaches, percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy, and open lung biopsy. The purpose of this study is to identify the most effective methods of obtaining histologic confirmation of pulmonary metastases. The utility of video-assisted thoracic surgery in diagnosing pulmonary metastases is demonstrated in 2 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The diagnostic yields and complication rates of transbronchial approaches, percutaneous needle biopsy, open lung biopsy, and video-assisted thoracic surgery are compared. Finally, an algorithm for the evaluation of pulmonary lesions is presented.