pulmonary disorders
Transthoracic Needle Biopsy
Contraindications to Transthoracic Needle Biopsy
Contraindications are similar to those of How To Do Thoracentesis . Additional contraindications include the following: Absolute contraindications Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 50,000 mcL [<50×109/L]) Abnormal coagulation that cannot be corrected Bleeding diathesis Relative contraindications Bullous lung disease (increases risk of pneumothorax) Contralateral pneumonectomy (impaired ability to tolerate a pneumothorax) Intractable coughing (increases risk of pneumothorax) Mechanical ventilation (increases risk of pneumothorax) Pulmonary hypertension The procedure should be deferred if a pneumothorax cannot be tolerated such as if there is a history of contralateral pneumonectomy. Hydatid cysts, lung abscesses, and vascular lesions should in general not be biopsied. 