Pleural Biopsy
Definition
The pleura is the membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity. A pleural biopsy is the removal of pleural tissue for examination and eventual diagnosis.
Purpose
Pleural biopsy is performed to differentiate between benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) disease, to diagnose viral, fungal, or parasitic diseases, and to identify a condition called collagen vascular disease of the pleura. It is also ordered when a chest x ray indicates a pleural-based tumor, reaction, or thickening of the pleura.
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