European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Purpose
To compare the feasibility, safety and outcome of CT versus ultrasound-guided biopsy of mediastinal
and para-mediastinal masses. To identify the criteria for CT and ultrasound-guided biopsy of mediastinal and para-mediastinal masses.
 
Material and methods
Informed consent was taken from 50 patients of CT / PET-CT diagnosed mediastinal and para
mediastinal mass lesions. Based on the feasibility, the patients were included in the study and
thereafter were assigned randomly to CT or USG guided groups. The feasibility criteria, approach,
ease of performance, complications and histopathological results were recorded. A follow-up of the
patients was done for complications and positive or negative outcome of the biopsy.
 
Results
The similarity was greatest for parameters i.e. time taken to perform the biopsy ( USG 92 % Versus
CT 96 % ), biopsy outcome ( USG 92 % versus CT 100 % ) ease of performance ( USG 92 % versus
CT 100 % ) and visualisation of the adjacent structures ( USG 92 % versus CT 100 % ). More
complications were encountered in CT guided procedures.
 
Conclusions
We conclude that the diagnostic accuracy of CT vs ultrasound-guided biopsy of mediastinal and para
mediastinal lesion is similar to each other, with a lower complication rate and a significantly reduced
time to the procedure with ultrasonography. Pre procedural imaging review and ultrasound check scan
will be helpful in making a correct choice of modality for the procedure and thus providing justice to the
patient in terms of diagnosis and further treatment planning.