Biopsy:

A biopsy is a small tissue sample that is examined by a pathologist for abnormalities. Some things to be aware of:

1. Biopsies are usually done under local anesthetic, excepting for open lung biopsies which require a general anesthesia.
2. Negative sinus biopsies are notoriously unreliable because it is such a problem to get the correct tissue sampled.
3. Kidney biopsies are generally rather trouble free and involve minimal intrusiveness if done by the guided-needle method.
4. Lung biopsies may be either by guided-needle or an open-lung surgical method. The open lung is major surgery and probably to be avoided if possible.

5. Some physicians insist on an open lung biopsy. It might be best to get a second opinion on the necessity for that method before proceeding.
6. More than once, a lung granuloma as been incorrectly identified as lung cancer. It may be prudent to have the tissue sample submitted to a different pathologist in a different hospital for evaluation.

Angiography

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Blood Tests