Ultrasound-guided Biopsy
An ultrasound-guided biopsy is a minimally-invasive procedure done to remove some cells from a lump or abnormality your doctor wants to learn more about. Ultrasound helps the doctor target a specific area for biopsy. After the biopsy, a tissue sample is sent to pathology for testing and diagnosis. This non-surgical procedure evaluates if the lump or abnormality is benign or cancerous.
What To Expect
- We’ll give you a call before your appointment to talk through preparation instructions.
- Please provide the name, address and phone number of any facility where you have had a prior mammogram. If you have images from previous exams, please bring them to your appointment. Our radiologist may need these prior images for comparison in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
- Be sure to tell us if you are pregnant, nursing, or if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
- On the day of your exam, please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.
- Please consider bringing someone with you to your biopsy procedure to drive you home.
- A technologist will greet you and will go over a few health questions.
- You will be led to a dressing room to remove your shirt and bra and put on a robe or gown that we provide for your exam.
- During the exam, you will be positioned on a cushioned table.
- The radiologist will use ultrasound imaging to ensure the abnormality to be tested is accurately targeted.
- The radiologist then inserts a tiny, hollow needle and positions it in location of the abnormality.
- Several tissue samples may be taken, and they will be sent on to a pathologist to be examined.
- Once the biopsy is complete, the needle will removed, pressure will be applied, and the skin will be covered with a dressing.
- When your scan is complete, you’ll be escorted back to the changing room so you can change out of the scrubs and back into your clothing.
- Once you have changed, your appointment is complete. You do not need to check out with the front desk when you leave.
- The tissue samples will be sent to a pathologist for final diagnosis.
- You should follow up with your referring provider to discuss your results.
