Transthoracic needle biopsy of lung masses: a survey of techniques

The majority of radiologists performed percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy of a lung mass under CT guidance, by fine-needle aspiration, using repeated pleural puncture technique, and with a cytologist on site. A significant minority did not obtain coagulation screening before the procedure, and a small minority did not routinely assess for pneumothorax by late chest radiography.