Percutaneous pulmonary aspiration biopsy using the Chiba needle.

The Chiba needle was used for percutaneous needle aspiration of lung lesions in 35 patients. Two separate needles were used for each patient at the same sitting. The aspirate was true positive for malignancy in 23 patients and true negative for malignancy in eight patients. Two aspirates were false negative for malignancy and two aspirates, negative for malignancy, were classified as inconclusive due to inadequate patient follow-up. The overall accuracy rate was 94%. Six patients had small pneumothoraces but only one required a chest tube. Appreciable hemoptysis did not occur. The Chiba needle provided an adequate aspirate for cytologic diagnosis. The complication rate using two needles appears to be entirely acceptable.