OBJECTIVE: Distinct aspects can influence the complication rates of computed tomography-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of lung lesions. The purpose of the current study is to determine the influence of radiological techniques and clinical characteristics in predicting complications from this procedure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was developed involving 340 patients who were submitted to a consecutive series of 362 computed tomography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies of lung lesions between July 1996 and June 2004, using 22-gauge needles (CHIBA). Variables such as the radiological characteristics of the lesions, secondary pulmonary radiological findings, co-morbidities, and aspects concerning the procedure were studied. RESULTS: The diameters of the lung lesions varied from 9 to 140 mm, with a mean of 51.5 ± 24.3 mm and median of 40mm. The depth of the lesions varied from 10 mm to 130 mm, with a mean of 44 ± 20.9mm, and median median of 52 mm. Complications occurred in 52 (14.4%) cases, pneumothorax being the most frequent, with 40 (11.1%) cases, followed by hemoptisis with 7 (1.9%) cases, and hematoma with 4 (1.1%) cases. Lesions that did not contact the pleura, with normal pulmonary tissue interposition between lesion and pleura, had higher complication rates, with 22 (22%) cases, than lesions that contact the pleura, with 6 (9%) cases, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of lung lesions had a lower rate of complications in our study and presented more rates of complications on lesions that lack pleural contact.

Neste artigo é descrito um caso da doença de Camurati-Engelmann em um paciente do sexo masculino, com 32 anos de idade, que foi submetido a avaliação radiológica por radiografias simples, cintilografia óssea e tomografia computadorizada, as quais mostraram achados clássicos dessa síndrome e alguns aspectos incomuns vistos somente em casos com acometimento ósseo grave.

We report a case of Camurati-Engelmann disease in a 32-year-old male patient. This patient was submitted to radiological evaluation including plain X-rays, bone scintigraphy and computed tomography, which showed typical findings of this syndrome and uncommon aspects seen only in cases of severe bone involvement.

The authors report a case of acute gastric volvulus in a 20-year-old male, complicated by perforation near the gastroesophageal junction and generalized peritonitis. This is an uncommon and potentially lethal conditon although our patient has been handled successfully with a partial gastrectomy.