Lung Biopsy

What is Lung Biopsy

Lung biopsy is a procedure to remove a tissue sample from the lung. The tissue can be examined under a microscope to help diagnose various lung disorders.

There are three types of lung biopsies:

  • Needle biopsy. In this type, the sample is removed with a needle.
  • Bronchoscopy. In this type, the sample is removed through a flexible tube inserted into the lungs (bronchoscope).
  • Open biopsy. In this type, the sample is removed through an incision made in the chest.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
  • Any blood disorders or bleeding problems that you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Collapsed lung.
  • Bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Pain.

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

  • Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

  • 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
  • 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
  • 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
  • 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

General instructions

  • Ask your health care provider about:
    • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you take diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
    • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
  • Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.

What happens during the procedure?

  • To lower your risk of infection:
    • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
    • If you are having an open biopsy, your skin will be washed with soap.
  • An IV tube may be inserted into one of your veins.
  • You may be given one or both of the following:
    • A medicine to help you relax (sedative) during the procedure.
    • A medicine to numb the area where the biopsy sample will be taken (local anesthetic).
    • A medicine to make you sleep through the procedure (general anesthetic).
  • If you have a needle biopsy:
    • A biopsy needle will be inserted into your lung. A CT scanner may be used to guide the needle to the right place.
    • The needle will be used to collect the tissue sample.
  • If you have bronchoscopy:
    • A bronchoscope will be inserted into your lungs through your mouth or nose.
    • A needle or forceps will be passed through the bronchoscope to remove the tissue sample.
  • If you have an open biopsy:
    • An incision will be made in your chest.
    • The tissue sample will be removed using surgical tools.
    • The incision will be closed with skin glue, skin adhesive strips, or stitches (sutures).

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

  • Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
  • If a needle biopsy was performed, a bandage (dressing) will be applied over the area where the needle was inserted. You may be asked to apply pressure to the bandage for several minutes to ensure there is minimal bleeding.
  • If a bronchoscope was used, you may have a cough and some soreness in your throat.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.

Summary

  • A lung biopsy is a procedure to remove a tissue sample from your lung. The sample is examined to help diagnose various lung disorders.
  • A lung biopsy may be done using a needle, by inserting a tube into the lungs, or through an incision in the chest.
  • After your lung biopsy, you may have a cough and some throat soreness.

Lung Biopsy, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions depending on the type of biopsy you had. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

  • A cough.
  • A sore throat.
  • Pain where a needle, bronchoscope, or incision was used to collect a biopsy sample (biopsy site).

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.
  • Do not drink alcohol while taking pain medicine.
  • Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
  • To prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:
    • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
    • Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
    • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
    • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods.

Activity

  • If you had an incision during your procedure, avoid activities that may pull the incision site open.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.

If you had an open biopsy:

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you:
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
    • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
    • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
  • Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
    • Redness, swelling, or pain.
    • Fluid or blood.
    • Warmth.
    • Pus or a bad smell.

General instructions

  • It is up to you to get the results of your procedure. Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the procedure, when your results will be ready.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have a fever.
  • You have redness, swelling, or pain around your biopsy site.
  • You have fluid or blood coming from your biopsy site.
  • Your biopsy site feels warm to the touch.
  • You have pus or a bad smell coming from your biopsy site.

Get help right away if:

  • You cough up blood.
  • You have trouble breathing.
  • You have chest pain.

Summary

  • After the procedure, it is common to have a sore throat and a cough.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Report any unusual symptoms to your health care provider.
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