Question 1

what are the chances of lung collapse during a biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Depends: The risk of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) depends on the type of procedure.  If you are underoing a bronchoscopy (camera/scope of the lung) the risk is about 1 in 500; if you are having a ct guided needle biopsy by a radiologist the risk is somewhat lower but it really depends on the location of the abnormality in the chest.  (if it is near the edge of the lung the risk is very low).

Question 2

can a liver biopsy puncture my lung?

Accepted Answer

Possible; unlikely: It is possible, but very unlikely, for a lung to be accidentally punctured during a liver biopsy. The liver specialists try very hard not to go near the lung. The liver lies underneath the lung (separated by the muscular diaphragm). Bleeding is the more common complication of a liver biopsy.

Question 3

what is the protocol with flying after biopsies? can you fly 2 days after a lung biopsy, if you don't punctur the lung and all is well after procedure

Accepted Answer

NO: The change in altitude can make a small leak a big one. Do not fly until released by your physician.

Question 4

how long does a kid stay typically inpatient after a lung biopsy during bronchoscopy for a trached 7yo? (crappy breathing, otherwise "ok")

Accepted Answer

Variable: A bronchoscopy with or without biopsy is fairly straightforward. The general description you've provided suggests a child that at baseline is chronically ill. Chances are the length of stay is more a matter of how long the child needs to recover from anesthesia in relation to baseline breathing challenges. Often this can be over night or it can be several days in a chronically ill child.

Question 5

just discovered my husband has a tear in the pericardium and that his right atrium poked thru the sac. this was discovered during an open lung biopsy ?

Accepted Answer

Uncommon: Hi Anne195,
Sorry to hear the alarming news. I hope you are coping ok. Pericardial tears are somewhat unusual to find incidentally because the pericardium is a very very strong tissue. Typically we see them as a result of blunt trauma to the chest or abdomen and they are commonly associated with herniation as you described. This requires management by a specialist. Hope this helps.

Question 6

6 months ago several lung solid and ground glass nodules were seen during a stomach ct.  the largest is 7mm.  i just had another ct and the largest is still 7mm.  it is lobulated in the upper right lung.  should this be biopsied or retest?

Accepted Answer

: Since there has been no change in 6 month it is unlikely anything needs to be done but you should discuss this with your doctor.

Question 7

have 2 low grade tumors in the lungs and kidney with the lungs being primary.. would the next tumor they are going to biopsy be low grade as well ?

Accepted Answer

Lung Tumor: If i understand you correctly, you have a low grade lung tumor that has spread to the kidney, and not two separate tumors. As a general rule, a new metastasis will have the same morphology as the original tumor, but, even so, a metastatic lung tumor, even if it is &quot;low grade, &quot; requires immediate treatment, which may include surgery, chemotherapy and irradiation, depending on the diagnosis.

Question 8

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 9

i had a nodgle biopsied between my kidney and lung what are thryblooking for?

Accepted Answer

What it is: Presumably they are looking to see what the unexpected nodule is, and to make sure it isn't cancer.  If it is cancer, your physicians want to know what sort, so they can recommend appropriate treatments to you.

Question 10

3.3 cm mass on husband's left lung.  not there a year ago, at all.  referred for biopsy.  should we be worried?  59 y/o, long time smoker.

Accepted Answer

Lung mass: you should be worried enough to have the biopsy done. Lung cancer is the most common cancer killer and the cure rate is low since most lesions don't cause symptoms so getting an early diagnosis is helpful at improving the eventual outcome.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

What happens when a lung is punctured during a biopsy

A member asked:

What are the chances of lung collapse during a biopsy?

A member asked:

Can a liver biopsy puncture my lung?

A member asked:

What is the protocol with flying after biopsies? can you fly 2 days after a lung biopsy, if you don't punctur the lung and all is well after procedure

A member asked:

How long does a kid stay typically inpatient after a lung biopsy during bronchoscopy for a trached 7yo? (crappy breathing, otherwise "ok")

A member asked:

Just discovered my husband has a tear in the pericardium and that his right atrium poked thru the sac. this was discovered during an open lung biopsy ?

A member asked:

6 months ago several lung solid and ground glass nodules were seen during a stomach ct. the largest is 7mm. i just had another ct and the largest is still 7mm. it is lobulated in the upper right lung. should this be biopsied or retest?

A member asked:

Have 2 low grade tumors in the lungs and kidney with the lungs being primary.. would the next tumor they are going to biopsy be low grade as well ?

A member asked:

What are the dangers of having a lung biopsy?

A member asked:

I had a nodgle biopsied between my kidney and lung what are thryblooking for?

A member asked:

3.3 cm mass on husband's left lung. not there a year ago, at all. referred for biopsy. should we be worried? 59 y/o, long time smoker.

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?