Lung Biopsy

Why It Is Done

A lung biopsy is done to:

• Diagnose certain lung conditions, such as sarcoidosis or pulmonary fibrosis. In rare cases, a lung biopsy may be done for severe pneumonia, especially if the diagnosis is not clear.
• Diagnose suspected lung cancer.
• Evaluate any abnormalities seen on other tests, such as a chest X-ray or a CT scan. A lung biopsy is usually done when other tests can't identify the cause of lung problems.

How To Prepare

You will be asked to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of the test and agree to have it done.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of the biopsy, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?).

Before you have a lung biopsy, tell your doctor if you:

• Are taking any medicines.
• Are allergic to any medicines, including anesthetics.
• Take a blood thinner, or if you have had bleeding problems.
• Are or might be pregnant.

Your doctor may order certain blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and clotting factors, before your lung biopsy.

Your doctor will tell you how soon before the biopsy to stop eating and drinking. Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking, or your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor has instructed you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, please do so using only a sip of water.

Arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure if you do not need to stay in the hospital.

How It Is Done

A needle or bronchoscope biopsy can be done without staying in the hospital. An open biopsy requires a hospital stay for at least a few days.

You may be asked to remove dentures, eyeglasses or contact lenses, hearing aids, a wig, makeup, and jewelry before the biopsy. You will empty your bladder before the biopsy. You will need to take off all or most of your clothes (you may be allowed to keep on your underwear if it does not interfere with the biopsy). You will be given a cloth or paper covering to use during the biopsy.

Bronchoscopic biopsy

A bronchoscopic biopsy is done by a doctor who specializes in lung problems (pulmonologist). It is usually done using a thin, flexible bronchoscope. In rare cases, a biopsy may be done using a rigid bronchoscope.

Bronchoscopy usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. You will be in the recovery room 1 to 2 hours. A chest X-ray is usually taken after a lung biopsy to look for any problems related to the biopsy.

Needle biopsy

A needle biopsy is done by a doctor who specializes in X-ray tests (radiologist) or a pulmonologist. Your doctor will use a CT scan, ultrasound, or fluoroscopy to guide the biopsy needle. The place where your doctor inserts the needle is cleaned first with an antiseptic solution and draped with sterile towels. Your doctor will give you a local anesthetic to keep you from feeling any pain when the needle is inserted into your chest.

Your doctor will then make a small puncture and ask you to hold your breath while the biopsy needle is inserted into your lung. It is very important to avoid coughing or moving while the needle is in your chest.

Once the desired amount of tissue is collected, the needle is removed and a bandage is placed over the puncture site. You will need to lie on your side for at least an hour to allow the needle puncture site to seal up.

This biopsy takes about 30 to 60 minutes. You will be in the recovery room 1 to 2 hours. A chest X-ray is usually taken after a lung biopsy to look for any problems related to the biopsy.

Open biopsy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

An open biopsy is done by a chest (thoracic) surgeon or a general surgeon. You will be given a general anesthetic by an anesthesiologist. There may also be one or more assistants in the room.

You will be given a sedative to help you relax about an hour before the biopsy. You will have an intravenous line (IV) placed in a vein. A tube will be placed in your windpipe (trachea) and a machine will help you breathe.

An incision is made between the ribs over the area of lung where the tissue sample is to be collected. A scope called a thoracoscope may be passed through this incision to view the surface of the lung and to remove a sample of lung tissue. A larger incision will be made if an open biopsy is needed to remove a tissue sample.

After the tissue sample is collected, your doctor will insert a drainage tube (chest tube) into the area and close the incision with stitches. One end of the tube will be in the space next to your lung and the other end will be sticking out of your chest and connected to a collection container. The chest tube helps re-expand your lung. The chest tubes will be removed when the drainage from your chest has stopped and no air is leaking from your chest incision, usually in a few days. Your stitches will be removed in 7 to 14 days.

The entire biopsy usually takes about an hour. After the lung biopsy is done, you will be taken to the recovery room for about an hour. You will then be taken to your hospital room.

Recovery from a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) takes less time than from an open biopsy surgery.

A chest X-ray is usually taken after a lung biopsy to look for any problems related to the biopsy.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) may not be available in your area. You may need to travel to a regional medical center for this test.

How It Feels

Bronchoscopic biopsy

The local anesthetic used in your mouth or nose generally tastes bitter and may make you choke. Your mouth may feel very dry for several hours after the biopsy. You may also have a sore throat and some hoarseness for a few hours. Sucking on throat lozenges or gargling with warm salt water may help your sore throat.

The anesthesia may make it hard to swallow. You may need to avoid eating or drinking for at least an hour after the procedure.

You may have a mild fever shortly after the biopsy, which usually goes away within 24 hours. If it does not, call your doctor.

Needle biopsy

When you are given the shot to numb your skin at the needle biopsy site, you will feel a sharp stinging or burning sensation that lasts a few seconds. When the needle is inserted into the chest, you will again feel a sharp pain for a few seconds. The radiologist may ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds at different times during the biopsy.

Open biopsy

The sedative will make you feel sleepy and relaxed. You will be asleep during the biopsy because of the general anesthetic.

After the biopsy, you may feel tired for 1 or 2 days or have general muscle aches. You may also have a mild sore throat from the tube that was placed in your throat to help you breathe. Sucking on throat lozenges or gargling with warm salt water may help your sore throat.

You may feel some discomfort at the biopsy site when you take a deep breath. The incision may itch as it is healing. Your doctor will give you pain medicine.

A bandage will be placed over the biopsy site. You may be advised to keep the biopsy site covered and dry for 48 hours. You may have a small amount of bleeding from the biopsy site. Ask your doctor how much bleeding to expect.

What Affects the Test

A biopsy sample that is too small for a diagnosis can affect the accuracy of the results.

A needle biopsy collects tissue from such a small area that there is a chance that a cancer may be missed.

What To Think About

• Before a final diagnosis is made, the results of a lung biopsy will be considered along with your past health, physical examination, and the results of other tests, including a chest X-ray or a CT scan. A bronchoscopy may also be helpful.
  • Chest X-Ray
  • CT Scan
  • Bronchoscopy
• A lung biopsy may not be done for people who have:
  • Advanced lung disease, such as emphysema.
  • Bleeding disorders.
  • Heart failure, high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), or enlargement of the right side of the heart (cor pulmonale).