In a pleural biopsy, a small piece of pleural tissue in the chest
is removed with a needle. The biopsy may distinguish between a
cancerous and noncancerous disease. It also can help to detect
whether a viral, fungal or parasitic disease is present.
Review Date: 12/08/2009
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
UMDNJ-NJMS, Attending Physician in the Division of Pulmonary,
Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs,
VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided
by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
