Phantom for use in lung biopsy training.

A phantom to assist in the teaching of fluoroscopically guided transthoracic needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions was designed. The phantom was constructed of an aluminum and rubber skeleton, wood hemidiaphragms and heart, and foam rubber lungs and was covered with foam rubber. Modeling clay was used to simulate lesions. The authors believe the phantom is of value in helping increase the confidence and proficiency of the radiologist during the first few biopsy procedures with an actual patient.