Home Blog

Oxygen necessary for the normal functioning and normal activities of the body is taken in by lungs. The carbon dioxide, a waste material, is then pushed out through our lungs. Any deviation in the functioning of these vital organs or formation of extra tissue growth (or nodules) is of grave concern. A preliminary chest X-ray and/or CT scan are done to determine the cause of lung malfunction. A percutaneous lung biopsy is then recommended in case of the following:

• Lung infection or lung damage
• Abnormality in a CT scan or chest X-ray
• Fluid in the lungs
• Presence of unexplained nodules, to investigate extent of lung damage caused by malignant tumors

Percutaneous lung biopsy is done under a local anaesthetic after a chest X-ray. A mild sedative is given to the patient to relax him/her. A biopsy needle is then introduced into the lung to remove the damaged tissue or tumor for further pathological test. A chest X-ray is then taken again. The whole routine (conducted on an empty stomach) takes about 30 minutes to an hour.

There are some percutaneous lung biopsy complications, and these include:

• Bleeding at the site of invasion
• In rare cases, it may be life-threatening as the air could escape from the lungs, press down the heart, and cause the lungs to collapse.

Percutaneous lung biopsy technique is a high precision minimal risk clinical procedure to extract abnormal tissue growth in the lungs. The percutaneous lung biopsy procedure is conducted by highly qualified professionals with the help of any one of the following methods:

• CT scan images are more accurate than X-rays and help determine further treatment protocol based on size, growth density, and location of tumors.
• Ultrasound (sonography) is painless.
• MRI images locate exact location of tumor.
• Fluoroscopy requires an X-ray machine to capture the images, a radiographic table for the patient to lie on, and a monitor suspended over the table to study the images.

The patient’s age, type and extent of damaged tissue, and risks involved are also important. Typically, a nodule or tissue growth showing up on a CT scan or chest X-ray could be benign or malignant. The nature of the nodule or lesion can be determined by a relatively safe and accurate needle biopsy conducted by a trained professional from the radiology unit. The CT-guided invasive procedure is simpler, cheaper, and more convenient than surgery for both doctor and patient.