Is a lung biopsy a painful procedure?

Patients undergoing a lung needle biopsy typically feel a sting when receiving the anesthesia injection and a brief sharp pain when the biopsy needle touches the lung, states MedlinePlus. A lung needle biopsy takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

During a lung biopsy, the patient sits on an exam table with their arm rested on their side. A local anesthetic is injected into the biopsy site and the doctor makes a small cut on the skin, explains MedlinePlus. The biopsy needle is then inserted and samples of the abnormal tissue are taken. This procedure may feel like pressure or brief sharp pain.