Bronchoscopy with Transbronchial Biopsy

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Risks

Pneumothorax occurs in about 2% of transbronchial biopsies. Usually this is followed with repeated chest X-rays unless the pneumothorax is large enough to require insertion of a chest tube to decompress the lung.

Whenever a biopsy is taken, there is a risk of hemorrhage. Some bleeding is common, and a technician or a nurse will monitor the amount of bleeding.

Lung infection may occur after any bronchoscopy

There is also a small risk of the following:

• Disordered heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
• Heart attack
• Low blood oxygen (hypoxemia)

If general anesthesia is used, there is also some risk of the following:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Depressed heart rate
• Change in blood pressure
• Kidney damage

There is a significant risk of choking if anything (including water) is ingested before the anesthetic wears off.