Journal of bronchology & interventional pulmonology
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J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol · Oct 2012
Review Comparative StudyNavigational bronchoscopy with biopsy versus computed tomography-guided biopsy for the diagnosis of a solitary pulmonary nodule: a cost-consequences analysis.
Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) are frequent and can be malignant. Both computed tomography-guided biopsy and electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) with biopsy can be used to diagnose a SPN. A nondiagnostic computed tomography (CT)-guided or ENB biopsy is often followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) biopsy. The relative costs and consequences of these strategies are not known. ⋯ An ENB with biopsy strategy is associated with decreased pneumothorax rate but increased costs and increased use of VATS. Combining CT-guided biopsy and ENB with biopsy serially can decrease costs and complications.