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Pleural needle biopsy - Risks

Alternative Names

Closed pleural biopsy; Needle biopsy of the pleura

What the risks are:

There is a slight chance of the needle puncturing the wall of the lung, which can partially collapse the lung. This usually gets better on its own. There is a chance of excessive blood loss.

Special considerations:

If a closed pleural biopsy is not enough to make a diagnosis, you may need a surgical biopsy of the pleura.

  • Reviewed last on: 12/8/2009
  • Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine UMDNJ-NJMS, Attending Physician in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Broaddus VC, Light RW. Pleural effusion. In: Mason RJ, Murray J, Broaddus VC, Nadel JA. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005:chap 68.

Ernst A, Silvestri GA, Johnstone D. Interventional pulmonary procedures: guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians. Chest. 2003;123:1693-1717.

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