CT-Guided Lung Biopsy with and without Gelfoam Tract Embolization

Background: CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy is an essential diagnostic tool for pulmonary lesions but carries risks of pneumothorax and hemorrhage. Gelfoam tract embolization has been proposed to reduce these complications. This study investigates the role of Gelfoam embolization and its association with outcomes in patients undergoing CT-guided lung biopsy, with comparison between Gelfoam and non-Gelfoam groups.

Methods: Ten patients undergoing CT-guided lung biopsy were included; five underwent Gelfoam slurry tract embolization, and five underwent standard biopsy without embolization. Rates of pneumothorax, cough, chest-tube requirement, shortness of breath or oxygen desaturation and bleeding were compared.

Results: No patients in the Gelfoam group experienced significant complications. In the standard group, minor pneumothorax occurred in one case and minimal cough in one case, none requiring intervention.

Conclusion: Gelfoam tract embolization may be associated with lower rates of pneumothorax and other related complications in CT-guided lung biopsies. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.