Biopsy

[Pipp]

Hi.

I may be having a biopsy tomorrow to determine what is causing ear and nose cartilage to break down - how is the procedure performed and what type of anaesthetic is used?

Many thanks

[Pipp]

This is to determine if I have either vasculitis or relapsing polychondritis.

[lfu2]

Hi Pipp, I had a nasal biopsy performed two years ago for vasculitis. It was scheduled as a general anaesthetic operation but was delayed because of my sleep apnea. I questioned the surgeon about using a local anaesthetic and he agreed, (not having done it before). The whole procedure took about twenty minutes and was nothing to write home about. There was one very small instance of pain/pressure lasting for two or three seconds but it was negligible. On a scale of 1 - 10, where 10 is hitting your finger with a hammer, then this was about 3.

The procedure is done through one nostril but you can't feel anything, just an odd sensation. Being a local anaesthetic, the surgeon chatted to me all the way through and kept asking me if I was comfortable; the recovery time was very quick and the surgeon himself was so impressed with the speed and success of the op that he said he would include the choice in future.

A straight forward procedure with nothing to worry about.

Hope this helps.

[Pipp in reply to lfu2]

Thank you for your reply and detail lfu2, glad to learn how it's done. I've been told that I have to be showing inflammation before they can perform a biopsy so will be curious to see what they think when they see me.

Did they at any time think you may have relapsing polychondritis?

[lfu2]

It was never mentioned... the biopsy was purely for vasculitis/Wegener's. At the review with the consultant some weeks later, I asked for any diagnostic information at all, but it was used only as confirmation of vasculitis/Wegener's.

Good luck.

[Pipp]

Thank you lfu2. No biopsy as said my ears weren't inflamed so he ordered blood tests instead.