List four potential complications of biopsy.

1. Pneumothorax. Patients with COPD are likely to have a pneumothorax as a complication of lung biopsy, although pneumothorax occurs in 30% of patients without underlying lung disease who undergo lung biopsy; 10% require a chest tube.
2. Hemoptysis (rarely significant - take caution with hypervascular lesions).
3. Pulmonary or pleural hemorrhage.
4. Air embolus.

Congratulations on completing the Pulmonary Chapter
You can review the key questions from the Pulmonary Topics page