Question 1

is a lung biopsy done while you are awake?

Accepted Answer

Depends: That depends on the type of biopsy. A percutaneous biopsy done by an interventional radiologist under fluoroscopy or ct guidance is usually done with local anesthesia. The patient has to be awake to cooperate with breath-holding when needed. Sometimes a mild sedative is given.

Question 2

what are the dangers of having a lung biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Various: 1 collapsed lung
2 bleeding
3 death (rare 1 in 10000 for bronchoscopy biopsies).

Question 3

what is the normal procedure in a lung biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Procedure specific: There are 3 different ways to do a lung biopsy. Ct guided uses a needle inserted thru the chest while taking ct scan images. Bronchoscopic involves running a flexible tube into the windpipe. Surgical biopsy involves cuts in the chest, either using a rigid tube (vats), or larger incision for an open biopsy.

Question 4

what is the general procedure for a lung biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Several types: •	Several approaches are used for lung bx to obtain enough tissue for histologic exam. The simplest is the Needle biopsy. With local anesthesia a needle is guided through the chest wall into a suspicious area CT or CAT scan or fluoroscopy.  A transbronchial biopsy  is performed through a fiberoptic bronchoscope and a Thoracoscopic biopsy  is used with general anesthesia  and also allows bx.

Question 5

could your body absorb air trapped after a lung biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Air can be reabsorbed after biopsy by your blood stream.

Question 6

how much pain is normal after a lung biopsy? i had a biopsy more than a week ago, and im still having pain. is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Variable: Generally, yes. The recovery greatly depends on the technique/s used.  Vats? Thorocotomy? What is your body shape, i.e. How much space between your ribs? Often, deep breathing spirometer and stretching exercise under surgeon guidance helps. Your thoracic surgeon would be better able to discuss reasonable recovery expectations and what sort of activities may help or should be avoided.

Question 7

can bronchoscopy use to get sample for lung biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If the goal is to get a biopsy of a possible "spot" on the lung and it is a short distance from the inside of your bronchus, it can be biopsied with the use of fluoroscopy and a bronchoscope which saves you from an open biopsy. If what is suspect is on the surface of the lung, you might require an open biopsy (surgery) or possibly a needle biopsy thru the chest wall.

Question 8

what to do if i am having an open lung biopsy n the 26th?

Accepted Answer

Various approaches: A lung biopsy if most often performed for a well defined lesion.  At your age the chance of malignancy is slight.  Biopsy if necessary can be done transbronchial and if more needed, a thorascopic biopsy without opening the chest can be performed.

Question 9

dad's lung biopsy came back benign.  he's having a 2nd biopsy done going in through his back. what are the chances this one will  be benign too?

Accepted Answer

No way to tell: Lesions mimicking lung cancer include everything from old histoplasmosis (ubiquitous where i live) to stray dog heartworms. Or a first biopsy can be "benign" because they missed the cancer which is very common. Cherish each day with dad, and if the more definitive biopsy is benign, be happy.

Question 10

open lung biopsy with a camera -how dangerous is this?

Accepted Answer

Safe: Small risk of bleeding and pneumothorax.  May have a small chest tube after. Obtains large amount of tissue for diagnosis and can remove the lesion.

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Doctor answers about:

Lung biopsy

A member asked:

Is a lung biopsy done while you are awake?

A member asked:

What are the dangers of having a lung biopsy?

A member asked:

What is the normal procedure in a lung biopsy?

A member asked:

What is the general procedure for a lung biopsy?

A member asked:

Could your body absorb air trapped after a lung biopsy?

A member asked:

How much pain is normal after a lung biopsy? i had a biopsy more than a week ago, and im still having pain. is this normal?

A member asked:

Can bronchoscopy use to get sample for lung biopsy?

A member asked:

What to do if i am having an open lung biopsy n the 26th?

A member asked:

Dad's lung biopsy came back benign. he's having a 2nd biopsy done going in through his back. what are the chances this one will be benign too?

A member asked:

Open lung biopsy with a camera -how dangerous is this?

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