What does lung biopsy mean?

Lung biopsy is a general term for a technique that involves obtaining a sample of abnormal tissue from the lung in living patients to determine the pathological type through laboratory examination. Clinically, instruments are inserted through the chest wall skin into the lung to retrieve suspicious space-occupying lesions, which are then examined pathologically to confirm the diagnosis. Lung biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing organic lung diseases. Below are the indications and precautions for lung biopsy.

I. Indications for Lung Biopsy

1. Patients with diffuse pulmonary lesions or chest wall masses.

2. Patients undergoing emergency surgery.

3. Patients requiring definitive diagnosis of pulmonary space-occupying lesions.

4. Patients who are not suitable for surgery but require pathological diagnosis.

5. Patients from whom specimens cannot be obtained via bronchoscopy.

II. Precautions for Lung Biopsy

1. Patients may eat appropriately before the procedure and should avoid excessive anxiety to prevent elevated blood pressure.

2. A CT scan should be performed before the biopsy to assist the physician in accurately locating the target site.

3. Local anesthesia is administered during the procedure; inform the doctor immediately if any allergic reaction to the anesthetic occurs. Pneumothorax may occur after the biopsy; the air usually resolves spontaneously, although in some cases it may require thoracentesis for evacuation.

The above covers the concept, indications, and precautions for lung biopsy. Inform your doctor promptly of any discomfort.