Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound Guidance in Transthoracic Needle Biopsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies to assess the diagnostic accuracy and safety outcomes of ultrasound (US)-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) for peripheral lung and pleural lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search was performed through Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central from inception up to September 23, 2022 for diagnostic accuracy studies reporting US-guided TTNB (Prospero registration: CRD42021225168). The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy, which was assessed by sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios (LR), and diagnostic odds ratio. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate inter-study heterogeneity. The secondary outcome was the frequency of complications. Random-effects models were used for the analyses. The risk of bias and the applicability of the included studies were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Publication bias was assessed by testing the association between the natural logarithm of the diagnostic odds ratio and the effective sample size.

RESULTS

Of the 7841 citations identified, 83 independent cohorts (11,767 patients) were included in the analysis. The pooled sensitivity of US-TTNB was 88% (95% CI: 86%-91%, 80 studies). Pooled specificity was 100% (95% CI: 99%-100%, 72 studies), resulting in positive LR, negative LR, and diagnostic odds ratio of 946 (-743 to 2635), 0.12 (0.09 to 0.14), and 8141 (1344 to 49,321), respectively. Complications occurred in 4% (95% CI: 3%-5%) of the procedures, with pneumothorax being the most frequent (3%; 95% CI: 2%-3%, 72 studies) and resulting in chest tube placement in 0.4% (95% CI: 0.2%-0.7%, 64 studies) of the procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

US-TTNB is an effective and safe procedure for pleural lesions and peripheral lung lesions.