Assessment of diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of CT-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy for lung lesion: difference between solid and sub-solid nodules based on propensity score matching analysis

•Diagnostic accuracy was not different among solid, part-solid and non-solid nodules. •Incidence of pneumothorax after PCNB was not different in three type of nodules. •Rate of hemorrhage after biopsy was higher in sub-solid nodules than solid nodules. •Consent procedures should emphasize the risk of hemoptysis in sub-solid nodules. AIM To compare the success and complication rates of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy (PCNB) based on the density of lung nodules, using propensity score matching (PSM). MATERIALS AND METHODS This single-centre retrospective study included 1,312 PCNB cases of lung lesions, including solid (n=1,120), part-solid (n=115), and non-solid nodules (n=77), that were detected between March 2013 and March 2021. The diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage were analysed before PSM. To perform PSM, part-solid and non-solid nodules were combined and newly defined as sub-solid nodules. The diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage were then compared between solid and sub-solid nodules after PSM. RESULTS Among the 1,312 included cases, the success rate and incidence of pneumothorax after CT-guided PCNB for solid, part-solid, and non-solid nodules were not statistically different (p=0.080 and 0.410). However, the rates of overall pulmonary haemorrhage showed statistical differences (p<0.001), particularly between solid and part-solid nodules (p<0.001) and between solid and non-solid nodules (p<0.001). After PSM, the incidence rates of overall pulmonary haemorrhage in solid and sub-solid nodules were 8.9% (17/192) and 29.7% (44/182), respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). CONCLUSION There is increased risk of haemorrhage in CT-guided needle biopsy of sub-solid nodules compared to solid nodules. Increased emphasis should be placed on the risk of pulmonary haemorrhage when consenting these patients. To compare the success and complication rates of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy (PCNB) based on the density of lung nodules, using propensity score matching (PSM). This single-centre retrospective study included 1,312 PCNB cases of lung lesions, including solid (n=1,120), part-solid (n=115), and non-solid nodules (n=77), that were detected between March 2013 and March 2021. The diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage were analysed before PSM. To perform PSM, part-solid and non-solid nodules were combined and newly defined as sub-solid nodules. The diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of pneumothorax and pulmonary haemorrhage were then compared between solid and sub-solid nodules after PSM. Among the 1,312 included cases, the success rate and incidence of pneumothorax after CT-guided PCNB for solid, part-solid, and non-solid nodules were not statistically different (p=0.080 and 0.410). However, the rates of overall pulmonary haemorrhage showed statistical differences (p<0.001), particularly between solid and part-solid nodules (p<0.001) and between solid and non-solid nodules (p<0.001). After PSM, the incidence rates of overall pulmonary haemorrhage in solid and sub-solid nodules were 8.9% (17/192) and 29.7% (44/182), respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). There is increased risk of haemorrhage in CT-guided needle biopsy of sub-solid nodules compared to solid nodules. Increased emphasis should be placed on the risk of pulmonary haemorrhage when consenting these patients.