What risks are associated with lung biopsy?

According to Healthline, the risks of a lung needle biopsy or percutaneous needle aspiration include blood clots, fever, pneumonia, infection, pain and swelling at the biopsy site. It may even result to complications such as bleeding and lung collapse, states Health Day.

Lung biopsy is a procedure performed to extract a sample tissue from the lungs after spotting a nodule or unusual growth after a CT scan or X-ray test. Following extraction, the sample is examined and diagnosed to rule out cancer, according to Healthline. The procedure is also performed to monitor the progression of a lung disease like cancer, determine the cause of pulmonary edema and diagnose a pulmonary infection.