Pulmonary Procedure

Transbronchial Lung biopsy (TBLB)

A transbronchial biopsy is a procedure to perform a lung biopsy (removing a small piece of lung tissue).

What does the procedure involve?

Your doctor will give you a sedative to help you relax.

A transbronchial biopsy is usually performed in less than half an hour. Your doctor will pass a flexible telescope (bronchoscope) through your nose and down into your lungs. Your doctor will use the bronchoscope to examine your airways (bronchi). They will then push small forceps down one of your airways (a bronchus) into your lung. Your doctor will use the forceps to take samples of lung tissue.

• The bronchoscope is passed into the bronchi
• Forceps are used to take samples of lung tissue

What complications can happen?

• Shortness of breath
• Pneumothorax
• Bleeding
• Developing a high temperature
• Developing a sore throat, husky voice or worsening of a cough
• Allergic reaction