Suction Excision Biopsy for Diffuse Pulmonary Disease

¹ Regional Respiratory Unit, St. Joseph's Hospital and Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

By means of a suction-excision technique, lung biopsy was performed successfully in 42 of 44 patients (96 percent) with widespread diffuse pulmonary disease or localized disease extending to the pleural surface. While 28 percent developed pneumothorax, only 14 percent required a chest tube and in only one patient was this present for over 48 hours. No other complications were noted. This technique is ideal for biopsy of extensive pulmonary infitrates because it provides a relatively large biopsy specimen (2 x 3 mm) with minimal discomfort and complications. This new method of obtaining a lung biopsy appears to complement currently used techniques.