lung biopsy
Last reviewed 01/2018
A lung biopsy may be achieved via various methods:
- percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy - useful for peripheral, discrete lesions; performed under radiological guidance
- transbronchial biopsy - useful in the diagnosis of diffuse lung diseases; undertaken at time of bronchoscopy
- open lung biopsy - in general, used only if failure of other technique; requires general anaesthetic