A needle biopsy of the lung or pleura is done to remove a sample
of lung or pleural tissue or fluid. Pleura is the lining of the
lungs and chest wall. Once the tissue is removed, it will be
examined in a lab. This procedure is used to diagnose abnormal
tissue in or around the lung. Possible reasons for abnormal
tissue are: Complications are rare, but no procedure is
completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a needle
biopsy, your doctor will review a list of possible
complications, which may include: Factors that may increase the
risk of complications include: Make sure to tell your doctor if
you are pregnant. Your doctor may order: Leading up to your
procedure, do not start taking any new medicines without
consulting your doctor. You may be given pre-procedure medicines
for certain conditions (eg, to suppress a cough). Talk to your
doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking
some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like: Your
skin will be cleaned with an antiseptic solut