LAB TEST
Open pleural biopsy
An open pleural biopsy is a procedure to remove and examine the tissue that lines the inside of the chest. This tissue is called the pleura.
How the Test is Performed
An open pleural biopsy is done in the hospital using general anesthesia . This means you will be asleep and pain free. A tube will be placed through your mouth down your throat into your windpipe (trachea) to help you breathe. The surgery is done in the following way: After cleaning the skin, the surgeon makes a small…
How to Prepare for the Test
You should tell your surgeon if you are pregnant, allergic to any medicines, or if you have a bleeding problem. Be sure to tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including herbs, supplements, and those bought without a prescription. Follow your surgeon's instructions for not eating or…
How the Test will Feel
When you wake up after the procedure, you will feel drowsy for several hours. There will be some tenderness and pain where the surgical cut is located. Most surgeons inject a long-acting local anesthetic at the surgical cut site so that you will have very little pain afterward. You may have a sore throat from the…
Why the Test is Performed
This procedure is used when the surgeon needs a larger piece of tissue than can be removed with a pleural needle biopsy . The test is most often done to rule out mesothelioma , a type of lung tumor. It is also done when there is fluid in the chest cavity, or when a direct view of the pleura and the lungs is needed.…
Normal Results
The pleura will be normal.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal findings may be due to: Abnormal tissue growth ( neoplasms ) Certain infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic) Mesothelioma Tuberculosis
Risks
There is a slight chance of: Air leak Excess blood loss Infection Injury to the lung Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
References
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Biopsy, site-specific - specimen. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:199-202. Wald O, Izhar U, Sugarbaker DJ. Lung, chest wall, pleura and mediastinum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox…
This is a summary. Read the full article at www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org (reviewed 10/10/2022).
This page is general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace a registered doctor, and it is not a prescription or a recommendation to use any medicine or test. Prices are listed prices and may change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.