Biopsy
Lung Biopsy

A lung biopsy is used to diagnose pneumonia, cancer and tuberculosis. The most common complication associated with lung biopsy is a pneumothorax, a collection of air in the pleural space that causes the lung to collapse. To help prevent a pneumothorax, the radiologist uses the smallest sampling needle possible and fluoroscopy or CT guidance to extract lung tissue samples.

All lung biopsy patients are administered conscious / IV sedation prior to procedure to reduce anxiety and enable their cooperation with the procedure. For optimal access to the lung area to be biopsied, patients may be positioned on their stomach or on their back.

After the site (front or back of chest) is cleaned with an antiseptic and shaved (if necessary), a local anesthetic, Lidocaine, is injected to numb the skin and a small 1/4 inch incision is made. The patient is asked to hold their breath as the needle is inserted, and the sample is taken. Multiple samplings may be necessary to form a complete analysis (performed later by a pathologist).

Immediately following a lung biopsy and again 4 hours later, a chest x-ray is performed to check for pneumothorax. If present and depending on the size of the pneumothorax, a chest tube or Heimlich valve (small chest catheter) may be placed to relieve the collection of air from the pleural space. For more information, see chest tube.