Upper airway biopsy

The health care provider will spray a numbing medicine in your mouth and throat. A metal tube is inserted to hold your tongue out of the way. Another numbing medicine flows through the tube down the back of the throat. This may cause you to cough at first. When the area feels thick or swollen, it is numb. The test may…

DO NOT eat for 6 to 12 hours before the test. Tell your provider if you take a blood thinner, such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or warfarin, when you schedule the biopsy. You may need to stop taking them for a little while. Never stop taking any medicines without first talking to your provider.

As the area is being numbed, you may feel like there is fluid running down the back of your throat. You may feel the need to cough or gag. And you may feel pressure or mild tugging. When the numbness wears off, your throat may feel scratchy for several days. After the test, the cough reflex will return in 1 to 2…

This test may be done if your provider thinks there is a problem with your upper airway. It may also be done with a bronchoscopy .

The upper airway tissues are normal, with no abnormal growths.

Disorders or conditions that may be discovered include: Benign (noncancerous) cysts or masses Cancer Certain infections Granulomas and related inflammation (may be caused by tuberculosis ) Autoimmune disorders, such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis Necrotizing vasculitis

Risks for this procedure include: Bleeding (some bleeding is common, heavy bleeding is not) Breathing difficulties Sore throat There is a risk of choking if you swallow water or food before the numbness wears off.

Barbareschi M, Mengoli MC, Cavazza A. Nonneoplastic pathology of the large and small airways. In: Smith ML, Leslie KO, Wick MR, eds. Practical Pulmonary Pathology . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 9. Mason JC. Rheumatic diseases and the cardiovascular system. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF,…