Pleural needle biopsy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Pleural biopsy

Overview

Risks

Results

Pleural needle biopsy

Definition:

A pleural biopsyis surgery toremove a sample of the tissuethat lines the lungs and the inside of the chest wall. A specialist uses a microscope to look at the tissue and check for disease or infection.

Alternative Names:
Closed pleural biopsy; Needle biopsy of the pleura
How the test is performed:

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This test does not have to be done in the hospital. It may be done at a clinic or doctor's office. You will be sitting up for the biopsy. The skin at the biopsy site will be cleansed, and a localnumbing drug (anesthetic)will be injected into the skin and into the lining of the lungs and chest wall (pleural membrane).

A larger, hollow needle is then placed through the skin and into the chest cavity. The doctor rotates the needle. At various times during the procedure, you will be asked to sing, hum, or say "eee." This helps prevent air from getting into the chest cavity, which can cause a pneumothorax (lung collapse).

When the doctor removes the needle,tissue samples are collected. Usually, three biopsy samples are taken.When completed, abandage is placed over the biopsy site.

How to prepare for the test:

Blood tests will be done before the biopsy, and a chest x-ray may also be taken. You must sign consent forms.

Infants and children:

The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:

Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel:

With the injection of the local anesthetic, there may be a brief prick and a burning sensation. When the biopsy needle is inserted, you may feel pressure. As the needle is being withdrawn, you may feel a tugging sensation.

Why the test is performed:

Pleural biopsy is usually done to determine the cause of a persistent pleural effusion (collection of fluid around the lung) or other abnormality of the pleural membrane. Diseases that may be diagnosed by pleural biopsy include tuberculosis and cancer.

References:

Murray J, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2000:1926-1927.

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:725.