Lung Biopsy: What To Think About
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What To Think About
- Before a final diagnosis is made, the results of a lung biopsy will be considered along with your medical history, physical examination, and the results of other tests, including a chest X-ray or a computed tomography (CT) scan. A bronchoscopy may also be helpful. For more information, see the medical tests Chest X-ray, CT Scan, and Bronchoscopy.
- A lung biopsy may not be done for people who have:
- Advanced lung disease, such as emphysema.
- Bleeding disorders.
- Heart failure, high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), or enlargement of the right side of the heart (cor pulmonale).
- Recovery from a video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) takes less time than from an open biopsy surgery.
| Last updated: | March 21, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Robert L. Cowie, MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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