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. 2021 Mar 23;14:1013–1022. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S302434

Box 1.

Factors May Influence the Pneumothorax Formation After CT-Guided Lung Biopsy

Patient factors
 Presence of emphysema
 Lesion size
 Lesion depth
 Lobe location
 Breath-holding instructions
 Lesion contact with pleura
Procedure factors
 Experienced operators
 Number of pleural passes
 Number of biopsy
 Traversal of a fissure
 Needle gauge
 Needle trajectory angle

Notes: In patient-related factors, the presence or severity of emphysema, smaller lesion size, greater lesion depth, and lower lobe location are associated with a higher likelihood of pneumothorax, while breath-holding instructions and lesion contact with pleura are associated with a lower risk. In procedure-related factors, unskilled operators, number of pleural passes/biopsies, traversal of a fissure, greater needle gauge and shallow needle trajectory angle are associated with a higher likelihood of pneumothorax.