Lung biopsy is a procedure that that focuses on obtaining a small sample of lung tissue for examination. This is studied in a microscope or generally a laboratory setting. A pathologist performs the microscopic examination.
Generally the purpose of lung biopsy is to perform and determine the cause of the abnormalities. In lung biopsy, it helps in determining if the abnormality is just a nodule or cancerous. It confirms a diagnosis of a cancer through clear understanding of the cellular samples. Aside from that, lung biopsies determine causes of lung infections, including tuberculosis and pneumocystis pneumonia.
You should know that lung diseases can become very grave and proper treatment is crucial. Lacking the right information may lead to improper treatment and also a delay in cure. One important disease that you should consider and that requires immediate and accurate lung biopsy is lung cancer. Lung cancer has been the leading cause of death for people having cancer. The lungs perform a very crucial function in the body, which is respiration.
To get the right amount of sample and as well as the right location, lung biopsies are done through different styles or techniques. There are also other considerations like the age and size of the patient, techniques will vary according to those factors. The location of the affected area also determines the technique or method of the lung biopsy. If it is just near the lung’s wall, then incision biopsy can be done. To give you a good idea about the various techniques, here is some brief information of them.
Bronchoscopic Biopsy
It uses a thin-lighted tube with a micro camera on the tip. The tube is inserted in either the mouth or nose. An electrical device that manipulates the bronchoscope as it passes through the windpipe down to the lungs facilitates the process. The external monitor shows the progress done within. Through bronschopic biopsy, the physician can clear an airway and also get the samples through scraping some portion of the affected area. It usually gets samples inside the lungs or the bronchus.
Needle biopsy
Needle biopsy is done through incision and insertion of a long and thin needle to get the sample. Accurate location of the affected area is needed prior to the procedure. This determines the success rate of getting the right samples. This can be done through imaging studies like Chest x-ray and CAT Scan.
Open biopsy
It is a much more invasive procedure that may be performed in an operating room under general anesthesia. The procedure takes an incision of the lungs and can be considered part of the thoracotomy procedure, or the removal of lung areas. The tissues are then studied.
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/06_OUcBcVeQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
