Our Summary

This research paper is about the effectiveness of lung biopsies in children. From 2007 to 2017, the researchers looked at 39 cases of children who had lung biopsies. They found that in 64% of the cases, the biopsy provided a clear diagnosis. In 41% of the cases, the biopsy confirmed what doctors already suspected, while in 23% of the cases, the biopsy revealed a new diagnosis. However, in 28% of the cases, the biopsy results were inconclusive, and in 8% of the cases, the biopsy showed that the lung tissue was normal. The biopsy results led to a change in treatment for 38% of the children. The researchers concluded that lung biopsies can be helpful in diagnosing lung issues in children, but they also noted that it’s important to carefully select patients for this procedure, as the results can sometimes be inconclusive. The procedure was found to be safe, with low risk of complications or death.

FAQs

  1. What percentage of lung biopsy cases in children provided a definitive diagnosis?
  2. How often did lung biopsy results in children lead to an alteration in treatment?
  3. What are the potential risks associated with lung biopsies in children?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about lung biopsy is to carefully follow pre-biopsy instructions, such as fasting before the procedure and informing the medical team of any medications or allergies. Additionally, it is important to discuss any concerns or questions with the doctor beforehand to ensure a smooth and successful biopsy experience.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for lung biopsy include those who have suspected lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary infections, granulomatous diseases, and other lung pathologies that are difficult to diagnose based on imaging studies alone. In children, lung biopsy may be performed to investigate persistent or recurrent respiratory symptoms, abnormal imaging findings, or to confirm a suspected diagnosis. It is important to carefully select patients for lung biopsy to maximize diagnostic yield and minimize procedure-related risks.

Timeline

  • Before lung biopsy:
  1. Patient presents with symptoms such as persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained weight loss.
  2. Patient undergoes imaging tests such as chest X-ray or CT scan to identify abnormalities in the lungs.
  3. Patient may undergo other tests such as bronchoscopy or sputum analysis to further investigate the lung condition.
  4. After consultation with a healthcare provider, a decision is made to proceed with a lung biopsy to obtain a definitive diagnosis.
  • After lung biopsy:
  1. Patient undergoes the lung biopsy procedure, which can be done either through a needle biopsy, bronchoscopy, or surgical biopsy.
  2. Tissue samples are collected and sent to the lab for histological analysis.
  3. Results of the biopsy are reviewed by a pathologist to determine the presence of any abnormalities or diseases in the lung tissue.
  4. Healthcare provider discusses the biopsy results with the patient and recommends appropriate treatment options based on the diagnosis.
  5. In some cases, the biopsy results may lead to a change in the patient’s treatment plan to address the specific lung condition identified. Overall, lung biopsy plays a crucial role in providing a definitive diagnosis and guiding appropriate treatment for patients with lung diseases, with a low risk of procedure-related complications.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the reason for recommending a lung biopsy in my case?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the lung biopsy procedure?
  3. How will the biopsy be performed (e.g. open surgery, thoracoscopic)?
  4. How long will it take to recover from the lung biopsy procedure?
  5. How soon will I receive the results of the biopsy?
  6. What are the possible outcomes of the biopsy results?
  7. How will the biopsy results impact my treatment plan?
  8. Are there any alternative diagnostic tests or procedures that could be considered instead of a lung biopsy?
  9. Will I need to follow any specific post-operative instructions or precautions after the biopsy?
  10. What is the experience of the healthcare team in performing lung biopsies in children?

Reference

Authors: Chan CD, Niyogi A, Jaffray B, Brodlie M, Gabra H. Journal: Arch Dis Child. 2021 Mar;106(3):291-293. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-318443. Epub 2020 Apr 29. PMID: 32349979