Has anyone had a CT guided lung needle biopsy is it fairly safe?

Posted by skittycorn76 @skittycorn76, Mar 7, 2023

I have multiple moderate to large groundglass and tree in bud nodules in my lungs since 2019 which have not been diagnosed. it shows growing each time CT was done. 2019 Bronchoscopy was negative for infection and malignancy. Aug 2022 bronchoscopy with biopsy was negative also for malignancy and infection. I have no respiratory symptoms at all. I still have no diagnosis. My pulmo wants to do a CT guided lung needle biopsy scheduled on March 23,2023. I am somehow more scared of the idea of a needle going into my lungs than the bronchoscopy with biopsy. Has anyone had a CT needle biopsy and was it ok?

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dianemb | @dianemb | Mar 19, 2023

I had needle biopsy in December 2022, then another February 2023. I had no pain issues with either. The surgeons, nurses are so professional and kind at Mayo. However in February I developed a pneumothorax the day after and I was already back home. I would recommend staying overnight. I was told it is a very rare event but it would have saved me time and trouble. Good luck!! Best wishes to you.

lpw | @lpw | Mar 20, 2023

My mother had a false positive with a needle biopsy. The surgeon removed half of her lung and was setting up chemo and radiation when the section biopsy came back benign. Should have done a frozen section in the first place…a lot of trauma and damage over nothing.

narnesen | @narnesen | Mar 24, 2023

In reply to @skittycorn76 "Thanks so much. I sm worrying so much over this. I wasn’t so worried with my..." + (show)

How did everything go?

skittycorn76 | @skittycorn76 | Mar 24, 2023

In reply to @narnesen "How did everything go?" + (show)

Hello! Thanks for checking in on me. I had a small pneumo thorax after the procedure found when they x rayed me 2hrs after so they kept me longer for observation. I came back home same day though am a bit sore on my back but pain is better now.

skittycorn76 | @skittycorn76 | Mar 24, 2023

In reply to @lpw "My mother had a false positive with a needle biopsy. The surgeon removed half of her..." + (show)

Oh no. I do think needle biopsy is not as accurate so I was wondering why my pulmo md said this was the next step after my bronchoscopy with biopsy turned out normal. How is the frozen section done? Is it thru bronch biopsy?

skittycorn76 | @skittycorn76 | Mar 24, 2023

In reply to @dianemb "I had needle biopsy in December 2022, then another February 2023. I had no pain issues..." + (show)

Thank you for sharing. I did develop a small pneumothorax two hours after the procedure yesterday when they did the chest x-ray on me. The nurse told me that a lot of his patients with the same procedure developed pneumothorax. They kept me a bit longer and did a repeat of the chest x-ray, and then the results said it was OK so they released me. I had so much pain yesterday I didn’t want to move but was better after I took Tylenol. This morning is much better.

dianemb | @dianemb | Mar 24, 2023

Oh good to hear yours resolved. The treatment for mine was a bit uncomfortable plus a few days in the hospital. Glad to hear you are feeling better with the Tylenol.

soupycampbell | @soupycampbell | Mar 25, 2023

In reply to @skittycorn76 "I was surprisingly okay. Before the procedure I made sure to let the anesthesiologist know to..." + (show)

I’ve decided I’m not doing it. I was great before they started poking around and now I’m still somewhat weak 3 weeks after the biopsies. I’ll be talking to the surgeon on the 30th and will try and get info as to how fast it will be growing ( so far the one by the aorta is slow) the one by the lymph node is newer so not sure. Just want to enjoy life and not be stuck at home feeling crappy. I’ma fairly active person for 85 and still want to get on my little Honda Navi 110cc motorcycle when I feel strong enough!

skittycorn76 | @skittycorn76 | Mar 25, 2023

In reply to @soupycampbell "I’ve decided I’m not doing it. I was great before they started poking around and now..." + (show)

Sending you positive thoughts and hugs! I got mine done last Thursday had a small pneumo thorax and a very sore back after. But today I am better. Am just hoping the results will be good so as to be worth the pain.

soupycampbell | @soupycampbell | Mar 26, 2023

In reply to @skittycorn76 "Sending you positive thoughts and hugs! I got mine done last Thursday had a small pneumo..." + (show)

Thank you. Yes, with the first rare melanoma only a little over a year ago and now two in the lungs I think it’s best to have quality time rather then under the weather and sick. I’m glad for all that it works and maybe just maybe if I was younger and stronger I would go for it. All the very best to you.