Pleural Biopsy

What is Pleural Biopsy?

The purpose of a pleural biopsy, also known as a pleural needle biopsy, is to obtain a tissue sample from the pleural membrane (lining of the lungs and chest wall) in order to assess whether or not mesothelioma cells are present. It is recommended for patients who are presenting with pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs) or other signs that the pleural membrane tissue is not healthy.

What to Expect if Your Doctor Orders a Pleural Biopsy

The test itself can be performed in a radiologist’s office as it is considered a minimally invasive procedure and has few risks associated with it. After using antiseptic solution to cleanse the area where the biopsy will be performed, a local anesthetic drug is injected through the biopsy site into the chest area. Next, usually with the guidance of a CT camera, the radiologist or pulmonologist will insert a special needle into the chest area that has the ability to “grab” a small tissue sample of the pleura.  The doctor may try to collect as many as three samples throughout the test to ensure that there is sufficient tissue to make an accurate diagnosis.
Patients who have a pleural biopsy may feel some pressure during the procedure but rarely feel pain. The doctor may also request that the patient say or hum a particular sound during the test in order to keep air out of the chest cavity which can sometimes lead to a collapsed lung.
Many times fluid biopsies alone are not enough to provide a conclusive mesothelioma diagnosis making this a useful test for physicians to detect the presence of this asbestos cancer. If the test results conclude that mesothelioma is present, your doctor will work with you to determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Risks Associated with Pleural Biopsy

With today’s medical technology, a pleural biopsy is considered a safe procedure. There is the risk of infection as with all procedures that involve piercing or cutting the skin. There is also the risk of collapsed lung in the rare instance that the needle pierces the lung. Excessive blood loss is also a possibility.