Box 1.
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.