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.