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Given the growing incidence of pleural effusions and the limited availability of medical thoracoscopy (MT) in clinical practice, ultrasound (US)-guided pleural needle biopsies using Abrams or cutting needles are increasingly being used for the histopathological diagnosis of pleural diseases. To assessed the diagnostic yield and safety of US-guided Abrams and cutting needles to determine the optimal needle type for specific clinical situations. Prospective randomized study. The study included 174 patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion requiring histopathological evaluation. Patients were randomized into two arms: those who underwent US-guided cutting needle biopsy (US-CNPB) and those who underwent US-guided Abrams needle biopsy (US-ANPB). The US-CNPB group exhibited a false-negative rate of 36.9% and diagnostic accuracy of 63.0%. compared to 21.3% and 78.7% in the US-ANPB group, with significant differences between the groups ( = 0.036 and 0.045, respectively). In patients with pleural thickening < 1 cm or absent on US, US-CNPB exhibited 55.2% diagnostic accuracy and a negative likelihood ratio (-LR) of 0.57. For US-ANPB, the corresponding rates were 77.3% and 0.32. The difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two groups was significant ( = 0.009). In patients with pleural thickening ≥ 1 cm, the diagnostic accuracy of US-CNPB was 93.3% and 88.9% for US-ANPB, with no significant difference between the groups. The corresponding -LR values were 0.08 and 0.17. In patients with pleural thickening < 1 cm, four major bleeding events (6.9%) occurred in the US-CNPB group. No deaths were reported in this study. US-CNPB should be preferred in patients with pleural thickness ≥ 1 cm on US. MT is recommended for patients with pleural thickening < 1 cm or those presenting with pleural effusion without pleural thickening. However, in the absence of MT, US-ANPB is the preferred alternative because of its superior diagnostic accuracy and procedural safety.

Background The management of breast disease has been greatly facilitated by the technology of needle biopsy interventions, and over the past 30 years, this has evolved from the use of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to the current methodology of vacuum assisted biopsy (VAB). Methods This article provides an historical review of the application of needle interventions of the breast in the diagnosis and management of breast conditions, and discusses current indications for the use of vacuum assisted biopsies and vacuum assisted excisions. Results Whilst FNAB continues to have a limited role in breast disease diagnosis, the necessity of achieving an histological diagnosis has preferentially seen the development and wider application of automated core needle biopsies (CNB) and VAB in the assessment and management of breast lesions. The advantages of CNB and VAB include the ability to distinguish in situ and invasive disease pre-operatively, and the ability to achieve prior knowledge of immunohistochemical tumour markers particularly in the setting of neoadjuvant drug treatments. Conclusion Due to its ability to obtain larger tissue samples, VAB does have diagnostic advantages over CNB and indications for the utilization of VAB are discussed. VAB additionally has an expanding role as a tool for breast lesion excision.

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is essential for evaluating thyroid nodules but often yields inadequate samples, leading to repeated procedures, increased discomfort, and higher costs. Previous non-randomized studies found promising results of spinal needles to improve diagnostic adequacy. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial to validate these findings. Between July 1st, 2021, and April 13th, 2023, patients with suspicious thyroid nodules were randomized to receive FNAB with either a 25G spinal needle or conventional needle. The primary outcome was the rate of adequate diagnostic cytology. Secondary outcomes included procedure-related pain, sensitivity and specificity of FNAB, and adverse events. A total of 359 patients (75.6% female), with a mean age of 59.7 years (range 23-94) were randomized. The rate of adequate diagnostic FNAB was 86.2% (156/181) for the spinal group compared to 84.8% (151/178) for the control group (OR 1.01; 95% CI: 0.95-1.08). The mean pain scale score was 4.0 (SD = 1.8) in the spinal group and 3.9 (SD = 2.0) in the control group (p = 0.40). No complications were observed in either group. We found a significantly better cytological adequacy rate of FNABs performed by physicians with more than four years of experience in the procedure (OR=1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14). No significant improvement was found using spinal needles with a stylet compared to conventional needles. Given the significantly higher cost of spinal needles and comparable diagnostic outcomes, their routine use for thyroid FNAB is not recommended.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous lung biopsy for solitary pulmonary nodules. Three hundred and eleven patients (211 males and 100 females), with a mean age of 59.6 years (range, 19-87 years), who were diagnosed with solitary pulmonary nodules and underwent CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy between January 2008 and January 2014 were reviewed. All patients were confirmed by surgery or the clinical course. The overall diagnostic accuracy and incidence of complications were calculated, and the factors influencing these were statistically evaluated and compared. Specimens were successfully obtained from all 311 patients. A total of 217 and 94 cases were found to be malignant and benign lesions, respectively, by biopsy. Two hundred and twenty-five (72.3%) carcinomas, 78 (25.1%) benign lesions, and 8 (2.6%) inconclusive lesions were confirmed by surgery and the clinical course. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy were 92.9%, 95.3%, and 95.7%, respectively. The incidences of pneumothorax and self-limiting bleeding were 17.7% and 11.6%, respectively. Taking account of all evidence, CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy for solitary pulmonary nodules is an efficient, and safe diagnostic method associated with few complications.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of robotic-assisted navigation system for percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB), compare it with conventional freehand technique, and evaluate its generalizability across operators with varying experience levels. After excluding 5 patients in whom robotic-assisted PTNB could not be performed due to technical problems, a total of 50 patients with robotic-assisted PTNB and 200 patients who performed freehand puncture were included. Using propensity score matching (PSM) to match two groups of patients and simulate a randomized controlled scenario. The results showed that robotic-assisted PTNB significantly reduced the number of punctures, CT scans, and total procedure time ( P  < 0.05). These reductions were accompanied by a significantly lower rate of pneumothorax ( P  = 0.05), a common complication in PTNB procedures. While the overall adverse event rates remained similar between the two groups, the robotic-assisted technique demonstrated a more favorable safety profile, particularly with regard to reduced pneumothorax and hemorrhage rates. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the number of punctures, CT scans, total procedure time, and radiation dose administered to patients during robotic-assisted PTNB, irrespective of the operator. This suggests that operator experience does not significantly influence the outcomes of robotic-assisted PTNB, further highlighting the potential of the robotic system to minimize the impact of operator variability. Thus, we think robotic-assisted PTNB is feasible, safe, and less dependent on operator experience, suggesting its potential for clinical promote.

Purpose To compare different biopsy systems with different-sized needles by determining the weight of the tissue cores, which is one of the important factors for precise pathological diagnoses, and to provide a rationale for choosing the appropriate breast biopsy system with the appropriate needle for breast cancer biopsy. Methods Six different vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) systems and one core needle biopsy (CNB) system with different-sized needles in different modes were compared, representing 15 total combinations. Tissue cores were obtained from a chicken breast phantom, which is a common substitute for human breast tissue. Five cores were taken for each combination and weighed. Results The CNB combination provided significantly lighter tissue cores compared with the VAB combinations with the same-size (14-G) needle (P < 0.01). The combinations using the thickest needle obtained the heaviest among all systems (P < 0.02). The untethered battery-free VAB system yielded the lightest specimen among the VAB systems with the same-sized (12-G) needle (P < 0.04). The percent coefficient of variation (%CV) of the core weights obtained using VAB without a basket was significantly smaller compared with the core weights obtained using VAB with a basket (P < 0.01). Conclusion VAB systems can yield larger tissue cores compared with CNB systems. The size of the tissue cores varies even with the same-sized needle among different VAB systems. When performing a breast tissue biopsy, it is important to consider not only CNB versus VAB but also what specific device to use with which needle size.

Puncture biopsy is a primary method for obtaining tissue or cell samples from tumors for histopathological diagnosis. However, patients often experience pain, anxiety, and discomfort during the procedure. Virtual reality is a novel technology developed through advancements in computer skill, and it is utilized in healthcare as a cognitive approach to relieve pain and relaxation. However, there is controversy in published trials regarding the efficacy of virtual reality in adults during puncture biopsy. Therefore, a synthesis of objective and accurate data is needed to support the efficacy of virtual reality for pain relief during puncture biopsy in adults. To identify suitable randomized controlled trials, published literature in eight electronic databases will be searched, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan-fang Data, and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM). The collected data will be consolidated and subjected to meta-analysis by using RevMan 5.4. Mean difference will describe the continuous variables. 95% confidence intervals (CI) will characterize the interval estimates. Model categories will be selected based on heterogeneity. The quality of the inclusion of randomized controlled trials in terms of methodological quality will be assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Additionally, strength and certainty of the evidence will be assessed by the GRADE system. The following protocol delineates the fundamental process and methodology to be employed in a systematic review and meta-analysis of data pertaining to the efficacy of virtual reality in the context of adult puncture biopsy. The results of the study will furnish healthcare professionals with evidence-based clinical evidence, thereby facilitating sound clinical decision-making and yielding beneficial consequences for the clinical domain. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024539303.

Core needle biopsy (CNB) has been suggested as a complementary diagnostic method to fine-needle aspiration in patients with thyroid nodules. Many recent CNB studies have suggested a more advanced role for CNB, but there are still no guidelines on its use. Therefore, the Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed the present consensus statement and recommendations for the role of CNB in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. These recommendations are based on evidence from the current literature and expert consensus.

IntroductionThis was a prospective, first-in-human trial to evaluate the feasibility and safety of insertion of biopsy introducer needles with our robot during CT fluoroscopy–guided biopsy in humans.Materials and methodsEligible patients were adults with a lesion ≥ 10 mm in an extremity or the trunk requiring pathological diagnosis with CT fluoroscopy–guided biopsy. Patients in whom at-risk structures were located within 10 mm of the scheduled needle tract were excluded. Ten patients (4 females and 6 males; mean [range] age, 72 [52–87] years) with lesions (mean [range] maximum diameter, 28 [14–52] mm) in the kidney (n = 4), lung (n = 3), mediastinum (n = 1), adrenal gland (n = 1), and muscle (n = 1) were enrolled. The biopsy procedure involved robotic insertion of a biopsy introducer needle followed by manual acquisition of specimens using a biopsy needle. The patients were followed up for 14 days. Feasibility was defined as the distance of ≤ 10 mm between needle tip after insertion and the nearest lesion edge on the CT fluoroscopic images. The safety of robotic insertion was evaluated on the basis of machine-related troubles and adverse events according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.ResultsRobotic insertion of the introducer needle was feasible in all patients, enabling pathological diagnosis. There was no machine-related trouble. A total of 11 adverse events occurred in 8 patients, including 10 grade I events and 1 grade IIIa event.ConclusionInsertion of biopsy introducer needles with our robot was feasible at several locations in the human body.Key Points• Insertion of biopsy introducer needles with our robot during CT fluoroscopy–guided biopsy was feasible at several locations in the human body.

Each year, millions of pulmonary nodules are identified incidentally or through lung cancer screening, and many involve biopsy to distinguish cancer from benign processes. Both navigational bronchoscopy and computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle biopsy are commonly used in patients undergoing biopsies of peripheral pulmonary nodules, but the relative diagnostic accuracy of these two approaches is unclear. In this multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, noninferiority trial, we assigned patients with an intermediate-risk or high-risk peripheral pulmonary nodule measuring 10 to 30 mm in diameter to undergo navigational bronchoscopy or transthoracic needle biopsy at seven centers across the United States. The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy, which was defined as the percentage of patients with biopsies that showed a specific diagnosis (cancer or a specific benign condition) that was confirmed to be accurate through 12 months of clinical follow-up (nonferiority margin, 10 percentage points). Secondary outcomes included procedural complications such as the occurrence of pneumothorax. Among the 234 patients included in the primary-outcome analysis (5 of whom were lost to follow-up), biopsy resulted in a specific diagnosis that was confirmed to be accurate through month 12 in 94 of 119 patients (79.0%) in the navigational bronchoscopy group and in 81 of 110 patients (73.6%) in the transthoracic needle biopsy group (absolute difference, 5.4 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, -6.5 to 17.2; P = 0.003 for noninferiority; P = 0.17 for superiority). Pneumothorax occurred in 4 of 121 patients (3.3%) in the navigational bronchoscopy group and in 32 of 113 patients (28.3%) in the transthoracic needle biopsy group and led to the placement of a chest tube, hospital admission, or both in 1 patient (0.8%) and 13 patients (11.5%), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of navigational bronchoscopy was noninferior to that of transthoracic needle biopsy among patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules measuring 10 to 30 mm. (Funded by Medtronic and others; VERITAS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04250194.).