The utility of open lung biopsy in patients with hematologic malignancies Journal Article


Authors: White, D. A.; Wong, P. W.; Downey, R.
Article Title: The utility of open lung biopsy in patients with hematologic malignancies
Abstract: The yield and impact of open lung biopsies in patients with hematologic malignancies and unexplained pulmonary processes were assessed and analyzed to determine factors that affected the yield. Records of 63 patients with hematologic malignancy, who underwent 67 open lung biopsies for diagnosis of an unknown pulmonary process from 1996 to 1998 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, were retrospectively reviewed. A specific diagnosis was found in 41 (62%) of the biopsies. Changes in therapy were made in 37 (57%) of patients after biopsy results, but in 69% of those with a specific diagnosis. Survival at 30 and 90 d was increased in those with specific rather than a nonspecific pulmonary diagnosis. The factor most predictive of finding a specific diagnosis was the presence of a focal rather than a diffuse radiographic abnormality (79% versus 36%, p = 0.003). Neutropenic patients or those on mechanical ventilation had a low chance of finding a specific diagnosis. Having received pulmonary toxic chemotherapy in the 6 mo before the biopsy was associated With finding a nonspecific lung injury. Specific pulmonary diagnoses found were inflammatory diseases in 23% of cases, infections in 21%, and malignancy in 18%. Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) was the most common inflammatory disorder and fungi and bacteria were the most frequent infectious pathogens. Complications occurred in 13% of the biopsies, including five patients who required mechanical ventilation postprocedure; one death was associated with the biopsy. The risk was increased in those with less than 50,000 platelets. Complications were similar with video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) compared with thoracotomy. We conclude that open lung biopsy in patients with hematologic malignancy has a significant yield and impact on management of patients with hematologic malignancy.
Keywords: adolescent; adult; cancer survival; human tissue; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; leukemia; retrospective studies; human cell; major clinical study; histopathology; neutropenia; diagnosis, differential; thoracotomy; lung neoplasms; prediction; biopsy; hematologic neoplasms; diagnostic value; lung; predictive value of tests; thoracoscopy; lung diseases; humans; human; male; female; priority journal; article; open lung biopsy
Journal Title: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Volume: 161
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1073-449X
Publisher: American Thoracic Society  
Date Published: 2000-03-01
Start Page: 723
End Page: 729
Language: English
PUBMED: 10712314
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.161.3.9904016
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 18 November 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Philip W Wong
    7 Wong
  2. Dorothy A White
    74 White
  3. Robert J Downey
    254 Downey