Lung needle biopsy culture Health Article

Definition

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

Alternative Names

Culture - lung needle biopsy

How the test is performed

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

See lung needle biopsy.

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

Why the test is performed

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 Values

A normal result is no growth of organisms.

What abnormal results mean

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