After having a lung biopsy
Lung biopsy in the interventional radiology department
A lung biopsy is a procedure, where we remove a small sample from your lung with a fine needle. We use CT or ultrasound guidance to find the area as accurately as possible. The sample is then examined in detail under a microscope at a laboratory.
What happens after the procedure
After the lung biopsy, you stay in the recovery unit. You need to stay in bed for 4 to 5 hours or for the time that your nurse recommends.
We ask you to lie on your side or on your back for 2 to 3 hours. This helps the healing process. The nurse checks your blood pressure, pulse and temperature regularly. We also put a clip on your finger to measure the oxygen levels in your blood. This is not painful.
We give you light refreshments, such as:
- tea or coffee
- a sandwich
- some fruit
If you have any special dietary requirements, you might want to bring some food and drink with you. The nurse explains when you can get out of bed and move around.
If you had the lung biopsy as a day case procedure, you can go home. You need a responsible adult to take you home by car or taxi. We do not recommend using public transport as this may not be safe if you feel unwell.
If you are staying in hospital and there are no problems, we will take you back to your ward after about 30 minutes.
What to do after you go home
Here is some guidance about what you need to do after you go home:
Do
- follow the advice and instructions from your doctors and nurses
- rest at home for the remainder of the day and possibly for the next day, depending on how you recover
- arrange for someone to stay with you overnight while you recover
- eat and drink as usual
- take your usual painkillers, as prescribed, if you have any pain
- continue taking any usual medicines, as prescribed
- check the area where we put in the needle (the biopsy site) regularly
Don't
- do not go to work or school on the day after the procedure
- do not have a shower until 24 hours after the procedure
- do not have a bath until 48 hours after the procedure
If you have any concerning symptoms
Please contact us if you need advice about any symptoms after the procedure.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you:
- have severe chest pain
- are short of breath
- cough up a lot of blood
Getting your results
It takes 7 to 10 working days to get the results of your lung biopsy from the laboratory.
You need to make an appointment with the doctor who referred you for the test to get your results. If your referring doctor is based at Guy's and St Thomas', you can make an appointment before you leave the hospital.
Resource number: 0035/VER6
Last reviewed: April 2024
Next review due: April 2027
A list of sources is available on request.
