How Is a Biopsy of the Lungs Taken?
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Introduction
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During a biopsy of the lungs, a piece of lung tissue is removed in order to be examined. Biopsies are usually performed because an abnormality has been found on the lung, the lining of the lung or in the chest. These irregularities are spotted using a diagnostic test, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan. Abnormalities that may necessitate a lung biopsy include a mass or lump, infection or inflammation.
Lung Needle Biopsy
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Before performing a lung biopsy, a chest X-ray or CT scan must be taken in order to determine the exact biopsy location. Two types of lung biopsies may be performed. The more common of the two, a lung needle biopsy, uses a specialized biopsy needle to remove the tissue. A physician applies local anesthesia to the skin over the biopsy site. A small incision is made in the skin through which the needle is inserted. Once the needle and tissue are removed, pressure is applied to the biopsy location to stop any bleeding. The tissue is then sent to a lab for examination. This is a quick procedure that is usually completed in under an hour. Most patients report that they feel a stinging sensation when receiving the local anesthetic and then pressure and a sharp pain when the needle touches the lung. This pain is short-lived. An abnormal result from a lung needle biopsy is normally due to an infection caused by bacteria, virus or fungus, lung cancer, an immune disorder or pneumonia.
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Open-Lung Biopsy
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The second type of biopsy is open-lung. This is a much more invasive procedure than a lung needle biopsy and is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is unconscious for the operation. A tube is fed through the mouth and airways into the lungs in order to facilitate breathing and to prevent the lung that is being biopsied from collapsing. Once the chest tube is in place, a surgeon opens the chest cavity above the biopsy location and removes a piece of the lung that needs to be examined. The chest is then closed, but the chest tube remains in place for up to two days to ensure that the lung continues to be functional. Patients feel drowsy when they wake up from this surgery due to the anesthesia. They may also have an irritated throat from the chest tube and pain in the area from which the biopsy was taken. An abnormal result from an open lung biopsy is normally caused by benign tumors, cancer, lung infection or lung disease.
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