title: Emergency open lung biopsy.
abstract: Twenty-eight patients underwent open lung biopsy on an emergency basis. The clinical course in each case was deteriorating rapidly, and all were in respiratory failure. The correct diagnosis was established in 96% of the biopsies (27 of the 28 patients). The clinical diagnosis prior to biopsy was in error or incomplete in 15 (55%) of the patients. Specific therapy was lifesaving in 12 of the 28 patients. The value of the procedure outweighed the complications. Thrombocytopenia and positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation were not contraindications to biopsy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis; D013903:Thoracic Surgery; D013909:Thorax / Q000601:surgery*