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British Journal of Radiology (2003) 76, 213
© 2003 British Institute of Radiology
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Correspondence

Percutaneous lung biopsies

The Editor—Sir,

I was interested to read the article by Richardson et al on percutaneous lung biopsy [1]. They discuss variations in practice, and their recommendations include that a chest X-ray be performed 1 h post biopsy.

Our hospital is one of the 6% minority who do not routinely perform a post-biopsy chest X-ray. Our patients have a single CT slice through mid thorax immediately post biopsy and are observed on the ward for 4 h. They are then discharged if stable and if there is a carer at home.

I am not sure why Richardson et al recommend X-ray after 1 h. They themselves state that 88% of pneumothoraces requiring intervention are apparent immediately, the rest after 1 h and "there are no reports in the literature of deaths attributed to delayed pneumothoraces". If a chest X-ray at 1 h detects an asymptomatic pneumothorax, how will the patient management be altered?

In these days of IRMER regulations and the need to justify every radiation exposure, I am not convinced routine post-biopsy chest X-rays pass the test.

Yours etc.,

R Henderson

Radiology Department, Memorial Hospital, Darlington, DL3 6HX

Received for publication September 20, 2002. Accepted for publication October 9, 2002.

References

  1. Richardson CM, Pointon KS, Manhire AR, MacFarlane JT. Percutaneous Lung biopsies: a survey of UK practice based on 5444 biopsies. Br J Radiol 2002;75:731–5.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

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Authors' reply
C M Richardson, K S Pointon, A R Manhire, and J T MacFarlane
BJR 2003 76: 213. [Full Text]  




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