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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Solitary pulmonary nodule biopsy

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Biopsy for pulmonary nodule may be classified into 2 categories: non-surgical biopsy and surgical biopsy. Biopsy findings associated with pulmonary nodule will depend on tumor histology. Common types of lung tissue biopsy for solitary pulmonary nodule, include: conventional bronchoscopic-guided transbronchial biopsy, bronchoscopic-transbronchial needle aspiration, endobronchial ultrasound-guided sheath transbronchial biopsy, and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. Common indications for biopsy in pulmonary nodule, include: high risk nodule (> 65%), intermediate risk nodule with a high risk patient profile, intermediate risk nodule with a positive positive positron emission tomography scan.[1][2]

Biopsy

Biopsy

Biopsy for pulmonary nodule may be classified into 2 categories:[1]

  • Non-surgical biopsy
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Transthoracic needle biopsy
  • Needle core biopsy
  • Surgical
  • Wedge resection
  • Indications for biopsy in pulmonary nodule, include:[1]
  • High risk nodule (> 65%)
  • Intermediate risk nodule, with a high risk patient profile
  • Intermediate risk nodule, with a positive positive positron emission scan (PET) scan
  • Determination of tumor histologic subtype
  • Characterization of genetic mutations
  • Contraindications for biopsy in pulmonary nodule, include:[1]
  • Emphysema
  • Bullous disease
  • Chronic respiratory failure
  • Complications for for biopsy in pulmonary nodule, include:[1]
  • Pneumothorax
  • Hemothorax
Non-Surgical Biopsy

Non-Surgical Biopsy

Bronchoscopy

  • Common bronchoscopy biopsy techniques for pulmonary nodule, include:[1][2]
  • Conventional bronchoscopic-guided transbronchial biopsy
  • Bronchoscopic-transbronchial needle aspiration
  • Endobronchial ultrasound-guided sheath transbronchial biopsy
  • Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration
  • The preferred bronchoscopy biopsy techinque for pulmonary nodule is bronchoscopic-transbronchial needle aspiration.
  • Indications for bronchoscopy in pulmonary nodule, include:[2]
  • Central nodules
  • Large lesions
  • No fitness for surgery
  • Nodules close to the patent airways
  • Patients were the risk of complications from any other biopsy is high

Transthoracic needle biopsy

  • Usually followed by CT guidance
  • Indications for transthoracic needle biopsy in pulmonary nodule, include:[2]
  • Peripheral nodules
  • Nodules close to the chest wall
  • No fitness for surgery
Surgical Biopsy

Surgical Biopsy

  • For more information about surgical biopsy of pulmonary nodule, click here
References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Herman M, Galanter M, Lifshutz H (1991). “Combined substance abuse and psychiatric disorders in homeless and domiciled patients”. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 17 (4): 415–22. PMID 1746503.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Podbielski FJ, Rodriguez HE, Brown AM, Blecha MJ, Salazar MR, Connolly MM (2004). “Percutaneous biopsy in evaluation of lung nodules”. JSLS. 8 (3): 213–6. PMC 3016799. PMID 15347106.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]