If your doctor sees something unusual on a chest ultrasound or CT scan, he may ask you to have a lung biopsy. In this procedure, your doctor takes a small sample of cells from your lung and examines it under a microscope to check for signs of disease.

A lung biopsy may also be used to find out the cause of fluid in the lung or to diagnose cancer. For whatever reason a lung biopsy is being done, you may have many questions about how it is done and how to prepare it. Many of these depend on the type of lung biopsy your doctor is requesting.

Bronchoscopy (transbronchial biopsy)

A pulmonologist inserts a flexible, pencil-wide tube into a person's mouth or nose, and from there into the person's lungs. A light and camera help guide tiny instruments that remove cells from the lung through the tube.

You will be awake during the procedure, but you may receive oxygen through an intravenous (IV) serum to help with relaxation, as well as through a mask or nasal tube.

To find the right place for the biopsy, your doctor may take x-rays of you. Then he will spray a numbing agent down your throat.

After the intubation, you may feel discomfort in your throat, and you may not be able to swallow, but you can breathe.... After the procedure, you may have a sore throat, cough, or hoarseness, which will go away within a few days.

Needle biopsy of the lung (transthoracic biopsy)

Usually, this type of lung sampling is done when the cells are not accessible through bronchoscopy.... To sample the outside of the lung, the doctor inserts a needle through the chest, between the ribs.

You will wake up and your skin will be numb and you may be given a sedative to relax... To find the best place for the procedure, an ultrasound, CT scan, or a special type of X-ray called fluoroscopy will be done.

When the needle is inserted into the lung, you may feel discomfort or pressure.... You should avoid coughing and you may have to hold your breath.

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Thoracoscopic lung biopsy (thoracoscopy)

You may find that your doctor also refers to this procedure as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This procedure examines problems outside the lungs.

For this procedure, you will be under general anesthesia, which means you will not be awake during the procedure. The doctor will place a breathing tube down your throat and lungs and monitor your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate.

The doctor makes up to three small incisions in the chest, between the ribs, then inserts a thin light tube with a camera at the end and uses small instruments to remove some cells.

Open lung biopsy (limited thoracotomy)

Usually, a doctor will recommend this type of sampling only when other methods of obtaining cell samples have failed.

Like a thoracoscopic lung biopsy, you will not be awake during this procedure. The surgeon makes a larger incision than with other procedures, which may extend from the chest and armpit to the back. This allows the doctor to access the lungs and remove cells.

How to prepare for lung sampling

To make sure a lung biopsy is safe, your doctor may suggest a complete physical exam and blood tests.... Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or have any allergies, including to latex or medications.... Also, if you take medications, especially aspirin or other medications that affect blood clotting.

You sign the consent forms... read it completely to understand the procedure and the risks involved.

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Ask your doctor what happens during the procedure.... Some things you should talk to your doctor about are:

Whether you recover quickly after a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy... However, doctors remove fewer cells than other methods, which sometimes makes the diagnosis difficult.

If you're having a thoracoscopy or open biopsy, you can test a sample of cells right away. Depending on the results, your doctor may take more samples or even remove the entire lung during the same surgery.

You probably shouldn't eat or drink anything for at least 8 hours before the lung biopsy, usually from midnight.. If you are awake during the procedure, you may be able to drink water in the morning.

What will happen after lung biopsy?

The lung biopsy sample will be sent to the lab and you will receive your results within a week.

A chest X-ray may be done to make sure your lungs are working properly....If you are not unconscious, you should be able to go home in a few hours....Have someone drive you, as it is not safe to drive under these conditions....Otherwise, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight or longer.

You may have pain in your chest for the next few days. If you have a wound as a result of the procedure, follow your doctor's instructions for cleaning it.. Because some medications, such as aspirin, can cause more bleeding, only take pain relievers prescribed by your doctor.

Dangers and complications of lung biopsy

The risk of pneumonia is seen in all types of lung biopsy.

Pneumothorax, where air leaks between the lung and the chest cavity, can make breathing difficult or cause the lungs to collapse during these procedures, but your doctor will watch for this and suction air if necessary.

Other rare but serious complications of surgical lung biopsy may include severe bleeding, wound infection, and blood clots.

Call a pulmonologist at GCORP LLC if you notice signs of infection or complications, including the following:

• Fever over 38 degrees
• Redness, swelling, or discharge of blood or fluid from the wound
• Severe chest pain
• shortness of breath
• Coughing up blood or bloody mucus