CT‐guided percutaneous lung biopsy under general anesthesia: a pediatric case series and literature review

Summary We describe 14 consecutive children who received computed tomography‐guided percutaneous lung biopsy (CT‐PLB) under general anesthesia over an 18‐month period at our institution. Pulmonary hemorrhage (occurring in 36%) and pneumothorax (29%) were the two most common complications; the overall complication rate was 64%. When complications did occur, immediate airway management was facilitated by the presence of an endotracheal tube (ETT). We conclude as follows: (i) CT‐PLB in our series is associated with a high risk of both overall and severe complications; (ii) risk of complications is increased by both patient and procedure‐related factors; (iii) airway management with ETT may be preferable should a complication arise; (iv) severe complications may necessitate ICU admission, which should be available before proceeding.