Lung biopsy

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Lung biopsy
Percutaneous lung biopsy in a case of suspected lung cancer under control of computed tomography.
Purposediagnose lung pathology

A lung biopsy is an interventional procedure performed to diagnose lung pathology by obtaining a small piece of lung which is examined under a microscope.[1][2] Beyond microscopic examination for cellular morphology and architecture, special stains and cultures can be performed on the tissue obtained.[3]

Types

A lung biopsy can be performed

Reasons to perform

A lung biopsy is performed when a lung lesion is suspicious for lung cancer, or when cancer cannot be distinguished from another disease, such as aspergillosis.

Lung biopsy also plays a role in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.[6]

Risks

Any approach to lung biopsy risks causing a

COPD can increase the risk of pneumothorax. Pneumothorax sometimes requires treatment with a chest tube.[7]

Bleeding can be life-threatening and can occur in 1 to 4%.

intercostal artery can be injured when biopsy needle is punctured through the back, due to variations in the course of the artery during its first 6 cm from the spine when emerged from the midline vessels such as costocervical trunk of subclavian artery and descending thoracic aorta. There is a higher chance of the artery deviated from its usual course of groove below the ribs (subcostal groove), for the ribs that are nearer to the head. Therefore, target lesions near the back of the lungs are usually avoided if possible, and the puncture should be as near to the superior margin of the ribs as possible during biopsy.[9]

References