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A nasal mucosal biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue from the lining of the nose so that it can be checked for disease.

A painkiller is sprayed into the nose. In some cases, a numbing shot may be used. A small piece of the tissue that appears abnormal is removed and checked for problems in the laboratory.

No special preparation is necessary. You may be asked to fast for a few hours before the biopsy.

You may feel pressure or tugging when the tissue is removed. After the numbness wears off, the area may be sore for a few days. A small to moderate amount of bleeding after the procedure is common. If there is bleeding, the blood vessels may be sealed with an electric current or laser.

Nasal mucosal biopsy is usually done when abnormal tissue is seen during examination of the nose. It may also be done when problems affecting the mucosal tissue of the nose are suspected.

There are no abnormal growths or tissue.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

• Infections such as tuberculosis
• Necrotizing granuloma, a type of tumor
• Nasal polyps
• Nasal tumors
• Sarcoid
• Wegener's disease

• Bleeding from the biopsy site
• Infection

Avoid blowing your nose after the biopsy. Gently squeeze the nostrils shut if there is bleeding.

Biopsy - nasal mucosa; Nose biopsy

Updated by: Alan Lipkin, MD, Otolaryngologist, Private Practice, Denver, Colorado. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.