Abrams Pleural Biopsy

Abrams pleural biopsy takes a small piece of your pleura, the membrane layers that surround your lungs.

Your pleural biopsy sample is sent to a laboratory for examination to look for infection, cancer or another condition.

A pleural biopsy is a procedure to take a small piece of the pleura so that it can be examined. Abrams pleural biopsy takes the tissue using a special biopsy needle, called an Abrams pleural biopsy needle. Needle biopsy is the most common method of obtaining a pleural biopsy.

During Abrams pleural biopsy, a numbing local anaesthetic is put on your chest. The needle is then inserted into your pleural membrane to take out a sample. High-frequency ultrasound waves or a CT scan that uses a series of X-rays and a computer may be used to guide the biopsy needle into the right place.

A closed pleural biopsy is a method of removing a tissue sample from under your skin using a special needle. It is also known as a closed needle biopsy or closed pleural biopsy needle.

A closed pleural biopsy involves putting local anaesthetic on your chest to numb the area and then inserting a special needle into the pleural membrane to remove a sample biopsy for investigation in a laboratory to help diagnose a thickened pleura or pleural effusion.

Abrams pleural biopsy is the most widely used closed pleural biopsy.

There are two alternative types of pleural biopsy. They are a thoracoscopy that uses an endoscope to remove a tissue sample and an open biopsy that makes a bigger cut in your skin to access the lung and remove a piece of pleura if a closed pleural biopsy is too small to get a diagnosis.

A biopsy is a medical test that removes a small sample of tissue from a part of your body so that it can be examined under a microscope by a specialist to help to make a diagnosis and find out what might be wrong.

There are many ways tissue biopsy is performed. The type of biopsy is based on the tissue being collected and where in the body it is being taken from.

Imaging including X-ray, ultrasound, CT scanning and MRI scanning are often used to guide a biopsy.

A tissue biopsy can be performed by:

• Punch biopsy - useful to diagnose skin conditions. A special instrument punches a small hole through the top layers of your skin to remove a skin sample.
• Needle biopsy – uses a special needle to get sample tissue from organs or lumps beneath your skin.
• Endoscopic biopsy - a thin flexible telescope, called an endoscope, is used with small cutting tools to take a tissue sample.
• Excisional biopsy - removes a larger area of tissue, such as a lump, for closer examination.
• Perioperative biopsy – a tissue sample is taken during an operation and checked immediately. Results are available whilst operating and used to help decide on how to proceed with the operation.

Pleural effusion is the build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside your lungs. It is very common. It can be diagnosed using tests including:

• Chest x-ray
• Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest
• Ultrasound of the chest
• Thoracentesis - a needle is used to take a biopsy or small amount of the fluid for laboratory analysis.
• Thoracoscopy - minimally invasive technique, that uses a tube with a camera or video camera on the end to see the pleura. Often, treatment for the pleural effusion is combined with diagnosis.

The cost of an Abrams pleural biopsy will depend your Ramsay hospital of choice.

You will receive a formal quotation price for your Abrams pleural biopsy following your consultation with one of our expert cardiology surgeons. This formal quote for your an Abrams pleural biopsy will be valid for 60 days.

Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers. An Abram’s pleural biopsy is covered by most medical insurance policies. We advise you to obtain written authorisation from your insurance provider before your pleural biopsy.

We have a number of finance options if you are paying for your Abrams pleural biopsy yourself. We offer interest-free finance so you pay 0% interest, no deposit and benefit from affordable monthly instalments.