Radiological and Histopathological Diagnosis of Pulmonary Mass according to CT-Guided FNAC and Core Biopsy

Background: Computed Tomography (CT) guided core biopsy and Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) are crucial diagnostic procedures for swiftly assessing pulmonary masses. They play a pivotal role in expediting the diagnosis process of such lesions.

Aims: The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of CT-guided core biopsy and FNAC in diagnosing pulmonary mass lesions and to compare their results with histopathological findings.

Methods: We conducted a prospective analysis of 45 patients who underwent CT-guided core biopsy and FNAC between June 2022 and August 2023. Subsequently, patients clinically indicated for further assessment underwent tru-cut biopsy.

Results: Among the 45 cases studied, the majority (60%) fell within the age group of 50-65 years, followed by 28.9% and 11.1% in the age groups of 15-45 and 65+, respectively. The mean age was 52.13±13.91 years. Gender distribution showed that 67% of the respondents were male, while 33% were female. Regarding diagnostic procedures, 51.1% underwent core biopsy, 44.4% underwent FNAC, and only 4.4% opted for tru-cut biopsy. Radiological diagnoses indicated that 42.2% of the respondents had neoplastic masses, 24.4% exhibited metastatic lesions, 15.6% displayed consolidation, and 2.2% were diagnosed with tumors, tuberculosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Histopathological results demonstrated that 33.3% of the respondents had carcinoma, 24.4% tested negative for malignant cells, 22.2% showed fibrosis, and 8.9%, 6.7%, and 4.4% were diagnosed with inflammatory lesions, pulmonary tuberculosis, and pleural effusion, respectively.

Conclusion: CT-guided core biopsy and FNAC emerged as straightforward, accessible, and dependable techniques for expeditiously establishing a tissue diagnosis of pulmonary masses while presenting minimal complications.