CT-guided Lung Biopsy Risk Optimization Method

Study participants with written consent and the percutaneous, CT-guided lung biopsy already regularly indicated by the referring doctors (e.g., oncology) will be part of this study and will be randomized directly before the intervention. After randomization, the intervention is performed by Interventional Radiology, either with or without prior fluid administration into the pleural space. Three samples are taken using either an 18G or 20G coaxial needle, and any complications are treated according to the clinical standard. The lung biopsy will be only performed if clinically indicated and is not a study-specific intervention; data about the lung biopsy, like internal DICOM images of them retrieved from Inselspital's Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), laboratory results, and clinical information are retrieved from RIS (radiological information system) and iPDOS® and KISS by Epic® (electronic medical record) and the associated histopathological findings from the Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, will be analyzed.

Inclusion criteria

• Ability to provide informed consent (knowledge of project languages), >18 years.
• Indeterminate or suspicious lung lesion unsuitable for transbronchial biopsy or Status after unsuccessful transbronchial biopsy
• Indication for biopsy given by referring specialist (in patients).

Exclusion criteria

• Preintervention bleeding into the pleural cavity
• More than 1 lesion should be biopsied at the same time
• Infiltration of the thoracic wall
• Pregnancy