A comparison of robotically assisted needle guidance via the PIGA CT system and conventional CT for percutaneous lung biopsies

Abstract

Objective The aim was to compare the speed, radiation exposure, needle adjustments, diagnostic efficacy, and complication rate using manual guidance and robotically assisted needle guidance via the PIGA computed tomography (CT) system for percutaneous lung biopsy. Methods A randomized interventional trial was conducted from September 2020 to March 2021 on 30 patients requiring lung biopsies for suspected malignancy. Random allocation of the 30 patients was done in group A (robot-assisted CT scan) and group B (conventional manual CT scan). The outcomes were compared with respect to the total procedural duration, time taken in the navigation of needle insertion, needle manipulations, total radiation, diagnostic efficacy, and complications. Results The mean age of the study population was 49 years, and there were 18 males and 12 females. Compared with manual CT, ROBO-assisted CT scan had significantly less duration of the procedure (7.9±1.4 vs. 14.7±5.9 min, P=0.0002), less but comparable total radiation exposure (513.5±277.4 vs. 730.8±480.6 mGy, P=0.141), significantly less number of check scans (1.5±0.7 vs. 3±2.3, P=0.022), significantly less number of needle adjustments (0.5±0.7 vs. 2±2.5, P=0.033), and significantly more diagnostic efficacy (100 vs. 76.67%, P=0.0158). The complications were comparable between the two groups, with one patient in group A and two patients in group B experiencing small pneumothorax not requiring any therapy or prolonged hospitalization. Conclusions Compared with conventional CT with the manual approach, PIGA CT system-guided lung biopsy is a novel technique that reduces procedure duration, needle adjustments, and total radiation exposure and increases diagnostic efficacy without increasing the complications rate.