These specimens routinely contain cells, tissue fluids, and microorganisms. After the procedure, the patient is monitored for a few hours, and a chest x-ray may be obtained to check for a pneumothorax. The possibility of an asymptomatic pneumothorax occurring more than 4 hours post-procedure is very low. Major complications from transthoracic needle aspiration include pneumothorax and hemoptysis. While minor hemoptysis does occur, it usually resolves without therapy.
Severe hemorrhage is a rare event.
Consequently, a single normal aspirate does not rule out malignancy, and either a repeat transthoracic aspirate or another diagnostic procedure should be performed if clinically indicated. Textbook of Internal Medicine, 3rd ed. Golden JA, KP Wang, and FM Keith. Bronchoscopy, Lung Biopsy, and Other Diagnostic Procedures. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine, 2nd ed.