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What is a CT guided needle lung biopsy?
A CT guided needle lung biopsy is a diagnostic procedure to see if there is a problem within the lungs. During the procedure a tiny sample of tissue is taken from the lungs for analysis. A radiologist (x-ray doctor) uses the x-ray images produced from a CT (Computer Tomography) scan to guide the needle from the skin surface into the lung where the biopsy will be taken.
What is a CT scan?
A CT scan is an examination using X-rays by lying on a flat table inside a scanner that produces detailed images of your body. These images are cross-sectional (like slices) and are used to produce 2D and 3D images of the body's organs.
Why do I need this procedure?
Your consultant has suggested that you should have a CT guided needle lung biopsy after discussion of your case with a radiologist. Your previous CT scan and other tests will have been reviewed and a biopsy has been recommended to try and clarify if there is a problem in the lung or not.
Your consultant will explain to you why they think you need this procedure and how it will benefit you. Once you have spoken to your consultant you can choose not to have the procedure, if you prefer.
What preparation should I make and what should I bring?
You can eat and drink normally on the day of the procedure. It is a long day and it is best to have a light breakfast before coming to hospital. Please bring an overnight bag with you to hospital just in case you need to stay the night and do bring any books, newspapers or media players that you might want.
It is best if someone else brings you to hospital and you should have someone available to take you home at the end of the afternoon. It is advised that you should have someone to stay with on the evening / night after the procedure.
Please continue taking any prescribed medication as normal, except blood thinning medication
Please inform the radiologist if you are taking any blood thinning medication. This includes (but is not limited to) drugs such as Warfarin, Heparin, Dalteparin, Clopidogrel, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran or Apixaban. Please contact the Radiology department to discuss these medications if you have not been given specific instructions.
Consent
We aim to make sure that every patient is fully informed about the risks and benefits of a procedure or treatment. Before you have the biopsy the radiologist will ask for your consent (permission) for the procedure to be carried out. Please make sure that you understand the risks and benefits of the procedure and that it has been explained to you in the detail you need. You will meet the radiologist shortly after your arrival in hospital to talk through the procedure. Once you have spoken to the radiologist you can choose not to have the procedure, if you prefer.
What happens if I don’t have the procedure?
Your doctors will re-discuss the reasons for biopsy and also explore with you whether there are any alternatives to biopsy.
What happens during a CT guided needle lung biopsy?
You will be asked to lie on the bed of the CT scanner and will be told the best position for taking the biopsy. A scan will be taken using a small metallic marker which is placed on the outside of your skin. This marker shows up in the scan images and means that we can decide the best place to take the biopsy. The skin at that site will be cleaned with antiseptic solution and numbed with a local anaesthetic. A biopsy needle will then be carefully inserted into the lung to take the tissue sample (biopsy). In order to take a good sample this part of the procedure may be repeated several times.
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure will take about 30-45 minutes. This includes the set-up time; the actual biopsy only usually takes a few minutes.
Will it hurt?
The local anaesthetic used to numb the area may sting for a few seconds. You may also be aware of pressure from the biopsy needle as it takes the sample.
What happens afterwards?
You will be taken back to the ward where you will rest for between four to six hours. You can eat and drink normally. You will have a chest x-ray one hour after the biopsy. Most patients can go home from mid to late afternoon. If there are any complications you may be asked to stay in hospital. This is usually for 24 hours, but can sometimes be longer.
When do I get my biopsy result?
The results of the biopsy will not be available immediately – they will be sent to the consultant in charge of your care. They will discuss the results with you at your next clinic appointment or by telephone if necessary.
What are the risks or complications of this procedure?
Sometimes a small amount of air leaks from the lung into the chest cavity. This is called a ‘pneumothorax’ which is usually small and may not need any treatment as this will heal itself in a few days. If the air leak is large enough, the lung may collapse. If this happens you may notice your breathing becoming more difficult and this will need a small tube (a chest drain) to be inserted to relieve the collapsed lung. If a chest drain is inserted, you will need to stay in hospital, which is usually for 24 hours but may be longer.
Some patients cough up blood after the procedure but this usually settles within 5 to 10 minutes.
The amount of radiation used is kept to a minimum and we strongly believe that the benefits of the procedure far outweigh any potential risk to your health.
There is the possibility that the results of the biopsy will not provide your consultant with enough information to make a diagnosis. If this is the case it may be necessary to repeat the CT guided needle lung biopsy procedure to take a further biopsy of your lung tissue, or an alternative procedure called a bronchoscopy may be recommended.
Serious complications from a lung biopsy are extremely rare. In very uncommon cases, complications may require treatments such as blood transfusions, admission to intensive care or in exceptionally rare circumstances, may lead to death. The risk of dying as a result of a lung biopsy is estimated to be less than 1 in 3000.
To put this into everyday context, this level of risk is much lower than many risks people routinely accept in daily life - for example, it is similar to the chance of dying from drowning (around 1 in 3000), and much less than the chance of dying in a motor vehicle accident (around 1 in 100). While these comparisons are not directly equivalent, they help illustrate how very small the risk from having a lung biopsy is.
The risks and complications of the procedure will be explained to you before you give your consent. Please ask any questions that you have.
Are there any alternatives to a CT guided needle lung biopsy?
It is sometimes possible to take a biopsy using a bronchoscope (a long narrow flexible tube) which is passed through the nose or mouth to reach the lungs. A biopsy can also be taken using a surgical procedure to reach the lung tissue under a general anaesthetic. These alternatives are only suitable for certain patients. If you would like to know more please speak to your consultant.
Any Questions?
The team/staff involved in your care have written this page to make your admission and care as smooth as possible. However, it does not cover every aspect of your care, and the staff will be happy to answer any questions or points of concern.
If you think of any questions you wish to discuss at your next visit to the hospital, please write them down and bring them with you to ensure you do not forget them:
If you require further information before your next appointment please contact:
Frimley Park: Macmillan Lung Cancer Nurses / Navigators
Tel 0300 613 3535
Radiology Nurses
Tel: 0300 613 4847 (24hr answerphone)
Wexham Park: Macmillan Lung Cancer Nurses / Navigators
Tel 0300 615 3394
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Respiratory medicine service.
About this information
Service:
Respiratory medicine
Reference:
W/020
Approval date:
19 October 2026
Review date:
1 October 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.