Lung/Chest Biopsy

A lung biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a small tissue sample is removed from a patient’s lung so that it can be closely examined by a pathologist. The tissue sample may be obtained via needle (percutaneous) biopsy, via an instrument called a bronchoscope, via an “open” approach where the surgeon makes a cut in the chest wall, or via a less invasive surgery called thoracoscopic biopsy where several small incisions are made in the chest wall. In order to help ensure that the tissue sample is taken from a precisely correct location, a number of imaging studies may be performed including CT scans, X-rays and fluoroscopy.