FIG. 1.

Guidelines for handling the pediatric wedge lung biopsy. In order to increase the diagnostic yield of lung biopsy, a number of special studies are routinely performed. Histology with formalin inflation, electron microscopy, microbiology cultures, and frozen tissue for molecular studies should be collected in virtually all cases. Touch imprints may be useful for rapid diagnosis of opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. Any biopsy taken for evaluation of autoimmune disease or pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome should include collection of tissue for immunofluorescence study. The following protocol is recommended for any pediatric wedge lung biopsy, but can be modified based on clinical indications and amount of tissue provided. For maximal diagnostic yield, a wedge lung biopsy should be at least 1 cm deep and 3 cm wide.