Definition

A lung needle biopsy is a method to remove a piece of lung tissue for examination. If it is done through the wall of your chest, it is called a transthoracic lung biopsy.

Alternative Names

Transthoracic needle aspiration; Percutaneous needle aspiration

How the Test is Performed

The procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. The biopsy is done in the following way:

• A chest x-ray or chest CT scan may be used to find the exact spot for the biopsy. If the biopsy is done using a CT scan, you may be lying down during the exam.
• You may be given a sedative to relax you.
• You sit with your arms resting forward on a table. Your skin where the biopsy needle is inserted is scrubbed.
• A local painkilling medicine (anesthetic) is injected.
• The doctor makes a small cut in your skin.
• The biopsy needle is inserted into the abnormal tissue, tumor, or lung tissue. A small piece of tissue is removed with the needle.
• The needle is removed. Pressure is placed on the site. Once bleeding has stopped, a bandage is applied.
• A chest x-ray is taken right after the biopsy.
• The biopsy sample is sent to the lab. Analysis usually takes a few days.

How to Prepare for the Test

You should not eat for 6 to 12 hours before the test. Follow instructions about not taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or blood thinners such as warfarin for a period of time before the procedure. Check with your health care provider before changing or stopping any medicines.

Before a needle biopsy of the lung, a chest x-ray or chest CT scan may be performed.

How the Test will Feel

You will receive an injection of anesthetic before the biopsy. This injection will sting for a moment. You will feel pressure and a brief, sharp pain when the biopsy needle touches the lung.

Why the Test is Performed

A lung needle biopsy is done when there is an abnormal condition near the surface of the lung, in the lung itself, or on the chest wall. Most often, it is done to check for cancer. The biopsy is usually done after abnormalities appear on a chest x-ray or CT scan. Sometimes your doctor might recommend a bronchoscopy instead of lung needle biopsy depending on the location of the abnormality.

Normal Results

In a normal test, the tissues are normal and there is no cancer or growth of bacteria, viruses, or fungi if a culture is performed.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal result may be due to any of the following:

• Bacterial, viral, or fungal lung infection
• Cancerous cells (lung cancer, mesothelioma)
• Pneumonia
• Benign growth

Risks

Sometimes, a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) occurs after this test. A chest x-ray will be done to check for this. The risk is higher if you have certain lung diseases such as emphysema. Usually, a collapsed lung after a biopsy does not need treatment. But if the pneumothorax is large, there is preexisting lung disease or it does not improve, a chest tube is inserted to expand your lung.

In rare cases, pneumothorax can be life threatening if air escapes from the lung, gets trapped in the chest, and presses on the rest of your lungs or heart.

Whenever a biopsy is done, there is a risk of too much bleeding (hemorrhage). Some bleeding is common, and a provider will monitor the amount of bleeding. In rare cases, major and life-threatening bleeding can occur.

A needle biopsy should not be performed if other tests show that you have:

• Bleeding disorder of any type
• Bullae (enlarged alveoli that occur with emphysema)
• Cor pulmonale (condition that causes the right side of the heart to fail)
• Cysts of the lung
• High blood pressure in the lung arteries
• Severe hypoxia (low oxygen)

Considerations

Signs of a collapsed lung include:

• Blueness of the skin
• Chest pain
• Rapid heart rate (rapid pulse)
• Shortness of breath

If any of these occur, call your provider right away.

References

Given MF, Clements W, Thomson KR, Lyon SM. Percutaneous biopsy and drainage of the lung, mediastinum, and pleura. In: Mauro MA, Murphy KPJ, Thomson KR, Venbrux AC, Morgan RA, eds. Image-Guided Interventions. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 103.

Walsh R, Klein JS. Thoracic radiology: invasive diagnostic imaging and image-guided interventions. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 21.