MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Lung needle biopsy culture

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Lung needle biopsy culture

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition How the Test is Performed	How to Prepare for the Test Why the Test is Performed Normal Results What Abnormal Results Mean

Illustrations

Lungs

Lung tissue biopsy

Alternative Names Return to top

Culture - lung needle biopsy

Definition Return to top

Lung needle biopsy culture is a laboratory test that examines a piece of lung tissue to look for the cause of an infection.

How the Test is Performed Return to top

After a piece of lung tissue is taken from a patient's lung (a biopsy), the tissue is sent to a laboratory. The laboratory technician will place the tissue sample in a special substance that promotes growth. This can help identify the cause of illness or infection.

How to Prepare for the Test Return to top

See lung needle biopsy.

The culture is done in a lab. You do not need to prepare for this.

Why the Test is Performed Return to top

A lung needle biopsy culture is performed when infection of the lung is suspected and sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage (see Bronchoscopy with lavage "BAL") cultures have not identified the cause of the infection.

Normal Results Return to top

A normal result is no growth of organisms.

What Abnormal Results Mean Return to top

Abnormal results may indicate a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection of the lung.

Update Date: 11/16/2005

Updated by: Monica Gandhi, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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