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Open lung biopsy
Biopsy - open lung
An open lung biopsy is surgery to remove a small piece of tissue from the lung. The sample is then examined for cancer , infection, or lung disease .
Lung biopsy
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 tran...
Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
Lung disease
Lung disease is any problem in the lungs that prevents the lungs from working properly. There are three main types of lung disease:Airway diseases -...
How the Test is Performed
An open lung biopsy is done in the hospital using general anesthesia , which means you are asleep and pain-free. A tube will be placed through your mouth down your throat to help you breathe.
General anesthesia
General anesthesia is treatment with certain medicines that puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. After you receive the...
The surgery is done in the following way:
- After cleaning the skin, the surgeon makes a small cut in the left or right side of your chest.
- The ribs are gently separated.
- Tissue is taken from the lung and sent to a laboratory for examination.
- After surgery, the wound is closed with stitches.
- Your surgeon may leave a small plastic tube in your chest to prevent air and fluid from building up.
How to Prepare for the Test
You should tell the health care provider if you are pregnant, allergic to any medicines, or if you have a bleeding problem. Be sure to tell your provider about all the medicines you take, including herbs, supplements, and those bought without a prescription.
Allergic
An allergy is an immune response or reaction to substances that are usually not harmful.
Follow your surgeon's instructions for not eating or drinking before the procedure.
How the Test will Feel
When you wake up after the procedure, you will feel drowsy for several hours.
Drowsy
Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate...
There will be some tenderness and pain where the surgical cut is located. Most surgeons inject a long-acting local anesthetic at the surgical cut site so that you will have very little pain afterwards.
You may have a sore throat from the tube. You can ease the pain by eating ice chips.
Why the Test is Performed
The open lung biopsy is done to evaluate lung problems seen on x-ray or CT scan .
x-ray
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles through the body. The im...
CT scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...
Normal Results
The lungs and lung tissue will be normal.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal results may be due to:
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Benign
tumors
Benign
"Benign" refers to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not cancerous. This means that it does not spread to other parts of the body. It does not ...
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- Certain infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
- Lung diseases (fibrosis)
The procedure may help diagnose a number of different conditions, such as:
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Rheumatoid lung disease
Rheumatoid lung disease
Rheumatoid lung disease is a group of lung problems related to rheumatoid arthritis. The condition can include:Blockage of the small airways (bronch...
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Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, or other tissues.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Wegener granulomatosis
Wegener granulomatosis
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare disorder in which blood vessels become inflamed. This leads to damage in major organs of the body. ...
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Risks
There is a possibility of infection or an air leak into the chest. Your risk depends on whether or not you already have lung disease .
Lung disease
Lung disease is any problem in the lungs that prevents the lungs from working properly. There are three main types of lung disease:Airway diseases -...
References
Putnam JB Jr. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 58.
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Lungs - illustration
The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.
Lungs
illustration
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Incision for lung biopsy - illustration
In a lung biopsy, a small piece of lung tissue is removed through a surgical incision in the chest. The abnormal results may indicate cancer, benign tumors, lung diseases, and certain infections.
Incision for lung biopsy
illustration
-
Lungs - illustration
The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.
Lungs
illustration
-
Incision for lung biopsy - illustration
In a lung biopsy, a small piece of lung tissue is removed through a surgical incision in the chest. The abnormal results may indicate cancer, benign tumors, lung diseases, and certain infections.
Incision for lung biopsy
illustration
-
Non-small cell lung cancer
(In-Depth)
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(In-Depth)
Review Date: 11/4/2014
Reviewed By: John A. Daller, MD, PhD., Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
