[Surgical biopsies of the lung]

Open-chest biopsy performed by an experienced team is a safe way of obtaining samples of suitable size. It is recommended in diffuse pulmonary diseases whose etiology could not be identified by the usual diagnostic means. Pulmonary needle biopsy is a blind method not without risks and should always be performed in the vicinity of a chest surgical unit. Nevertheless it can be considered an initial diagnostic step, followed if unsuccessful by an open-chest biopsy.