Usefulness of Bedside Ultrasound in Detection of Pneumothorax Post Transthoracic Lung

Hypothesis:

US have sensitivity and specificity equal or better than CXR to exclude pneumothorax after transthoracic lung biopsy.

Clinical relevance:

Pneumothorax is a well-known complication of image-guided transthoracic biopsy of lung lesions. The incidence of pneumothorax in patients undergoing TTNB has been reported to be from 9% to 54% (ref. 3). Most of the time, the pneumothorax is small and requires no further intervention other than observation and a repeat CXR to ensure stability or resolution of the pneumothorax. In small group of patients with detected pneumothorax after biopsy, the pneumothorax is either large or becomes larger (more than 2 cm width at the level of the hilum) during observation. In these cases, a small pleural drainage catheter will be inserted to prevent the lung from collapsing. The catheter will be removed in 2 days. Detection of pneumothorax post biopsy is important to prevent possible lung collapse after discharge and currently is done by obtaining a CXR, 30 minutes after the biopsy.

Obtaining a CXR, requires moving the patient on stretcher to the X-ray room, bringing the patient to upright position, patient holds breath. An X-ray technologist obtains the CXR which will be reviewed by a Radiologist when it becomes available on work station. Then the Radiologist revisits the patient and orders the discharge.