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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > Test > L > Lung needle biopsy

Lung needle biopsy   

Overview | Risks | Results

Alternative names:

Transthoracic needle aspiration; Percutaneous needle aspiration

What the Risks Are

The risks include pneumothorax (a collapsed lung), bleeding, and infection. A needle biopsy should not be performed if other tests indicate the presence of bullae (enlarged alveoli associated with emphysema), cysts, blood coagulation disorder of any type, severe hypoxia (insufficient blood oxygenation), pulmonary hypertension, or cor pulmonale (enlargement of the right ventricle secondary to pulmonary hypertension that results from primary lung diseases -- a type of heart failure).

Special Considerations

Signs of pneumothorax include shortness of breath, rapid heart rate (pulse), blueness of the skin (late sign). If any of these occur, report them to the health care provider immediately.

Ency. home > Test > L > Lung needle biopsy

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