Transbronchial Biopsy
This is very similar to an ordinary bronchoscopy . The only difference is that the biopsy forceps are passed out of the bronchoscope into smaller bronchi to get biopsies from the outer part of the lung. This is usually used to diagnose conditions which are affecting large areas of lung.
The bronchoscopist can not directly see the area being biopsied which is beyond the range of the bronchoscope itself. Some bronchoscopists like to use an X-ray machine to help them do this so you may have an X-ray machine called an image intensifier put over your chest at the point when the biopsies are taken.
You will not feel anything while the x-rays are being used. Many doctors do the test without X-rays. The test is equally safe with either method.
Transbronchial biopsy is a very safe procedure. However there is a risk of about 10% of getting an air leak or a little bleeding from the lung when it is biopsied. After a transbronchial biopsy patients are observed for longer before going home and most doctors like to do a chest X-ray after the test to check for an air leak ( pneumothorax).
Even if a leak does occur, these are often minor and will absorb on their own without any treatment. If there is a large leak, it may be necessary to remove the air from the chest either through a needle or sometimes through a tube which may mean staying in hospital until this has been done.
Instructions:
Do not eat or drink anything 6 – 12 hours before the test. Your doctor may also want you to avoid any aspirin,
ibuprofen, or other blood-thinning drugs before the procedure.
You may be sleepy after the test, so you should arrange for transportation to and from the hospital.
Many people want to rest the following day, so make arrangements for work, child care, or other obligations. Usually,
the test is done as an outpatient procedure, and you will go home the same day. Some patients may need to stay
overnight in the hospital.
Location: Diagnostic Treatment Center at Dekalb Medical Center
located in the main hospital building on the ground floor; enter through the Emergency Room.
Arrival: Patient to arrive one hour prior to procedure to register and be clinically evaluated and prepared for the
procedure.
Instruction: NPO after midnight (nothing by mouth after midnight)
Take your usual medications with the exception of diabetics on insulin or drugs that lower blood glucose.
Do not take aspirin or aspirin-containing products for 5-7 days prior to the procedure
Special Instructions are required for patients on coumadin
Because you will be sedated, you cannot drive after the procedure is over. You must have someone to drive you
home after the procedure or it will not be performed. This is for your safety. You may not take a taxi by yourself or a
bus.
Follow-up: A return appointment to discuss the results will be scheduled
for approximately one week after the procedure.