Download Lung Biopsy

PATIENT GUIDE and
PREPARATION
C.T. Guided Lung Biopsy
Lung Biopsy
What is a Lung Biopsy?

A Lung Biopsy is a procedure that involves taking out a
small amount of tissue or fluid specimen from an area
within or around the lung using a very thin needle while
utilizing CT to locate the appropriate area.

The purpose of a Lung Biopsy is to obtain a sample of
cells that can be sent to the Laboratory for analysis to
determine a diagnosis of the mass in question.
How should I get ready for a Lung Biopsy?

At the time of referring you for a Lung Biopsy your
doctor should go over the preparation with you. You will
also be contacted by the Diagnostic Imaging booking
office with further questions prior to booking the
procedure

All patients must arrange with their doctor to get the
following blood tests done 14 days prior to the procedure
date: INR, PT, PTT, and Platelets.

All patients on blood thinners must consult their doctor
about stopping them before the procedure if possible.

Recommended times to stop common blood thinners:
 Clopidogrel (Plavix), ASA (Aspirin) (7 days)
 Warfarin (Coumadin) (5 days)
 Heparin (6 hrs)
 Enoxaparin (Lovenox), Dalteparin (Fragmin),
Dabigatran (Pradax), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
(24 hrs)
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
Diabetics are not to take their insulin or Metformin the
morning of the procedure. Please bring it with you to take
after the exam as directed.

Do not stop taking any medications without first
consulting your doctor. If you have any questions
about your medications please ask your doctor.

All patients on blood thinners must arrange with their
family doctor to have their INR, PT, PTT, and Platelets
retested one day before the procedure.

Tell your family doctor if you are allergic to freezing or
any medications.

Make sure to follow all preparation instructions
carefully. If you do not follow all instructions the test
will have to be rescheduled.

Call the day surgery booking clerk the day prior to your
test to confirm your appointment time at (902)-749-0231
between 12:30pm and 1:30pm.

You must bring someone to the appointment with you and
have them drive you home after. If you do not bring
someone, the procedure may not be done.

You should have someone to stay with you for 24 hours
after the test in case complications arise.

You must have nothing to eat or drink 12 hours before
your procedure.
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
When you arrive at the hospital register at Day Surgery.

At Day Surgery a nurse will check and record your vitals
and ask you some questions, before bringing you to
Diagnostic Imaging.
What can I Expect for my Lung Biopsy?

You will be asked to change into a hospital gown while in
Day Surgery, then taken to the CT department by a nurse
who will be present during your procedure.

Before the procedure starts, the radiologist (x-ray doctor)
will go over the procedure with you and ask you to sign a
consent form. This is a good time to ask any questions
you may have.

You will be lying down for the procedure on the C.T.
table.

You will be hooked up to a blood pressure monitor and
pulse oximeter throughout the test.

You may be given some conscious sedation medication
through an I.V. to help relax you during the test and
minimize the potential pain.

An initial C.T. scan will be done to localize the area of
interest as well as the best way to access it.

The radiologist will first clean off your skin with an
antiseptic solution then inject local anesthetic (freezing
that is similar to what a dentist uses) to numb the area of
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interest.

You will be instructed on how to control your breathing by
the radiologist during the exam. Although you may want to
feel the urge to cough during the procedure, it is important
you try not to.

A needle will be inserted through your skin into the area of
interest.

A C.T. scan will be done again to confirm proper placement
of the needle within the mass.

Once proper placement is confirmed a specimen will be
withdrawn.

One or more specimens may be taken to obtain an
appropriate tissue sample for the lab.

The specimen (s) will then be sent directly to the
Laboratory for examination and analysis by a pathologist.

A C.T. scan may be done after the biopsy to check for any
complications.
What can I Expect after my Lung Biopsy?

You will be transferred off of the table and onto a stretcher.

You may have a chest X-Ray done immediately following
the procedure.

You will then be taken back to Day Surgery for recovery
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and observation.

You may feel groggy from the sedation (if used), that will
pass with time.

Even though freezing was used, you may experience some
minor pain at the biopsy site as the freezing wears off.

If you begin to experience intense pain or a shortness of
breath, it is important you tell a nurse immediately.

It is common to bring up some bloody sputum (split blood)
after the procedure, this will be monitored by the nurses.

It is common to experience the urge to cough after the
procedure, however, it is best to try and resist this as much
as possible as it could increase the risk of complications.

You will be brought for a chest X-Ray 1-2 hours after the
biopsy to check for complications.

Depending on your recovery, you will be discharged from
Day Surgery usually about 4 hours after the procedure.

It is recommended you avoid any strenuous activity for 1-2
days after the biopsy.
What are the risks for my Lung Biopsy?

As with any procedure where the skin is punctured, there is
a risk of infection. To minimize the chance of an infection
your skin is cleaned with an antiseptic solution before the
test (to kill potential germs) and all the instruments used
will be sterile.
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
Given the skin will be punctured, there is always a risk
of bleeding during and after the biopsy. Any bleeding
will be monitored closely before you can leave the
hospital.

Since the biopsy specimen is taken from either within
the lung, or just outside the lung, there is a chance of
you developing a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). It is
not uncommon for patients to develop a minor
pneumothorax during or after the biopsy.

If you were to develop a pneumothorax it would be
monitored closely while you were within the hospital
and you would not be discharged home until the
Radiologist felt it was safe for you to leave.
How long will my Lung Biopsy take?

You need to register 1 hour prior to your appointment
at the Day Surgery reception desk.

The procedure itself will take approximately 30 - 60
minutes.

The observation and recovery time will take
approximately 4 hours after the procedure finishes.
NOTES:
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The technologists are unable to give test results. Your doctor
will receive a copy of the pathology report within approximately 1 - 2 weeks of the procedure.
If you have any questions, concerns or if you are
unable to keep your appointment, please do not
hesitate to call the booking office at 742-2571 or toll
free 1-877-742-2571.
Diagnostic Imaging Department
Yarmouth Regional Hospital
60 Vancouver Street
Yarmouth, NS
B5A 2P5
Patient Guides available on
http://www.swndha.nshealth.ca/pages/guides.htm
SWH promotes a smoke free and scent free environment.
Prepared by – Diagnostic Imaging Department, SWH.
Revised April 2014
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