What are the risks of a needle biopsy of lung nodules?

What are the risks of a needle biopsy of lung nodules?

Kenneth W. Chin (M.D., F.A.C.R.) gives expert video advice on: What are the risks of a needle biopsy of lung nodules?; How is a needle biopsy of lung nodules performed?; What are the benefits of a needle biopsy of lung nodules? and more...

Percutaneous needle biopsies are relatively safe. However there are some complications that can occur with them. They can include bleeding or a collapse of the lung, what we call a pneumothorax. It is rare that the pneumothorax or bleeding is serious, but that can happen. Most instances of these complications however, are mild and can be easily tolerated by the patients.