Abdominal Interventional Procedures
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Needle Biopsy Procedure offered by Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions and Procedures
What is a percutaneous biopsy?
A needle biopsy is a medical test performed by interventional radiologists to identify the cause of a lump, mass, or other abnormal condition in the body. During the procedure, a small piece of tissue is taken out of your body using only a tiny incision so that it can be examined under a microscope by a pathologist, an expert in making diagnoses from tissue samples. Because this biopsy is done through the skin, it is called a percutaneous biopsy.
Common Needle Biopsy Sites
- Adrenal glands
- Bone
- Kidney
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Lung masses (Thoracic)
What is a percutaneous biopsy?
A needle biopsy is a way of taking a small piece of tissue out of your body, using only a tiny incision, so that it can be examined under a microscope by a pathologist, an expert in making diagnoses from tissue samples. Because this biopsy is done through the skin, it is called a percutaneous biopsy.
Why do I need a percutaneous biopsy?
Other tests that you probably have had performed, such as an ultrasound scan or a CT scan, will have shown that there is an area of abnormal tissue inside your body. From the scan, it is not always possible to say exactly what the abnormality is due to, and the simplest way of finding out is by taking a tiny piece of it away for a pathologist to examine.
Who has made the decision?
The consultant in charge of your case, and the radiologist doing the biopsy will have discussed the situation, and feel that this is the best thing to do. However, you will also have the opportunity for your opinion to be considered, and if, after discussion with your doctors, you do not want the procedure carried out, then you can decide against it.
Who will be doing the percutaneous biopsy?
A specially trained doctor called an interventional radiologist. Radiologists have special expertise in using x-ray and scanning equipment, and also in interpreting the images produced. They need to look at these images while carrying out the biopsy.
Where will the biopsy take place?
Generally in the x-ray department, either in the CT scanning room, or else a "special procedures" room, with an ultrasound machine. Occasionally, biopsies are performed using an ordinary x-ray machine.
How do I prepare for percutaneous biopsy?
You may need to be an in-patient in the hospital, although many biopsies can be performed as an out-patient. You will probably have had some blood tests performed beforehand, to check that you do not have an increased risk of bleeding. You will probably be asked not to eat for four hours beforehand, though you may be allowed to drink some water. You may receive a sedative to relieve anxiety. You will be asked to put on a hospital gown.
If you have any allergies, you must let your doctor know. If you have previously reacted to intravenous contrast medium, the dye used for kidney x-rays and CT scanning, then you must also tell your doctor about this.
What actually happens during a percutaneous biopsy?
You will lie on the x-ray, ultrasound or scanning table, in the position that the radiologist has decided is most suitable. You may need to have a needle put into a vein in your arm, so that the radiologist can give you a sedative or painkillers.
The interventional radiologist will keep everything as sterile as possible, and may wear a theatre gown and operating gloves. Your skin will be cleaned with antiseptic, and you may have some of your body covered with a theatre towel. The radiologist will use the ultrasound machine or the CT scanner to decide on the most suitable point for inserting the biopsy needle. Then your skin will be anaesthetised with local anaesthetic, and the biopsy needle inserted into the abnormal tissue.
While the first part of the procedure may seem to take a while, actually doing the biopsy does not take very long at all, and the needle may be in and out so quickly that you barely notice it.
Will it hurt?
Most biopsies do not hurt at all, although unfortunately bone
biopsies may be painful. When the local anaesthetic is injected, it will
sting to start with, but this soon passes off, and the skin and deeper
tissues should then feel numb. Later, you may be aware of the needle
passing into your body, but this is generally done so quickly, that it
does not cause any discomfort at all.
There will be a nurse, or
another member of clinical staff, standing next to you
and looking
after you. If the procedure does become painful for you, then they will
be able to arrange for you to have more painkillers through the needle
in your arm.
How long will it take?
Every patient's situation is different, and it is not always easy to predict how complex or how straightforward the procedure will be. It may be over in 30 minutes, although you may be in the x-ray department for about an hour altogether.
What happens afterwards?
You will be taken back to your ward on a trolley. Nurses on the ward will carry out routine observations, such as taking your pulse and blood pressure to make sure that there are no problems. You will generally stay in bed for a few hours, until you have recovered. If you have had a lung biopsy, then you will almost certainly have a chest x-ray performed at some stage.
What happens next?
All being well, you will be allowed home either on the same day, or perhaps the next. Do not expect to get the result of the biopsy before you leave, as it always takes a few days for the pathologist to do all the necessary tests on the biopsy specimen.
Are there any risks or complications?
Percutaneous biopsy is a very safe procedure, but there are a few risks or complications that can arise, as with any medical treatment.
If your liver or kidney is being biopsied, then there is a risk of bleeding from the liver, though this is generally very slight. If the bleeding were to continue, then it is possible that you might need a blood transfusion. Very, very rarely, an operation or another radiological procedure is required to stop the bleeding.
If you are having a lung biopsy performed, then it is possible that air can get into the space around the lung. This generally does not cause any real problem, but if it causes the lung to collapse, then the air will need to be drained, either with a needle, or else with a small tube, put in through the skin.
Unfortunately, not all biopsies are successful. This may be because, despite taking every possible care, the piece of tissue which has actually been obtained is normal tissue rather than abnormal. Alternatively, although abnormal tissue has been obtained, it may not be enough for the pathologist to make a definite diagnosis. The radiologist doing your biopsy may be able to give you some idea as to the chance of obtaining a satisfactory sample.
Despite these possible complications, percutaneous biopsy is normally very safe, and is designed to save you from having a bigger procedure.
Percutaneous biopsy is a very safe procedure, designed to save you
having a larger operation. There are some slight risks and possible
complications involved, but these are generally minor and do not happen
very often.
Why do I need a percutaneous biopsy?
Other tests that you probably have had performed, such as an ultrasound scan or a CT scan, will have shown that there is an area of abnormal tissue inside your body. From the scan, it is not always possible to say exactly what the abnormality is due to, and the simplest way of finding out is by taking a tiny piece of it away for a pathologist to examine.
Who has made the decision?
The consultant in charge of your case, and the radiologist doing the biopsy will have discussed the situation, and feel that this is the best thing to do. However, you will also have the opportunity for your opinion to be considered, and if, after discussion with your doctors, you do not want the procedure carried out, then you can decide against it.
Who will be doing the percutaneous biopsy?
A specially trained doctor called an interventional radiologist. Radiologists have special expertise in using x-ray and scanning equipment, and also in interpreting the images produced. They need to look at these images while carrying out the biopsy.
Where will the biopsy take place?
Generally in the x-ray department, either in the CT scanning room, or else a "special procedures" room, with an ultrasound machine. Occasionally, biopsies are performed using an ordinary x-ray machine.
How do I prepare for percutaneous biopsy?
You may need to be an in-patient in the hospital, although many biopsies can be performed as an out-patient. You will probably have had some blood tests performed beforehand, to check that you do not have an increased risk of bleeding. You will probably be asked not to eat for four hours beforehand, though you may be allowed to drink some water. You may receive a sedative to relieve anxiety. You will be asked to put on a hospital gown.
If you have any allergies, you must let your doctor know. If you have previously reacted to intravenous contrast medium, the dye used for kidney x-rays and CT scanning, then you must also tell your doctor about this.
What actually happens during a percutaneous biopsy?
You will lie on the x-ray, ultrasound, or scanning table, in the position that the radiologist has decided is most suitable. You may need to have a needle put into a vein in your arm, so that the radiologist can give you a sedative or painkillers.
The interventional radiologist will keep everything as sterile as possible, and may wear a theatre gown and operating gloves. Your skin will be cleaned with antiseptic, and you may have some of your body covered with a theatre towel. The radiologist will use the ultrasound machine or the CT scanner to decide on the most suitable point for inserting the biopsy needle. Then your skin will be anesthetised with local anesthetic, and the biopsy needle inserted into the abnormal tissue.
While the first part of the procedure may seem to take a while, actually doing the biopsy does not take very long at all, and the needle may be in and out so quickly that you barely notice it.
Will it hurt?
Most biopsies do not hurt at all, although unfortunately bone
biopsies may be painful. When the local anesthetic is injected, it will
sting to start with, but this soon passes off, and the skin and deeper
tissues should then feel numb. Later, you may be aware of the needle
passing into your body, but this is generally done so quickly, that it
does not cause any discomfort at all.
There will be a nurse, or
another member of clinical staff, standing next to you and looking after
you. If the procedure does become painful for you, then they will be
able to arrange for you to have more painkillers through the needle in
your arm.
How long will it take?
Every patient's situation is different, and it is not always easy to predict how complex or how straightforward the procedure will be. It may be over in 30 minutes, although you may be in the x-ray department for about an hour altogether.
What happens afterwards?
You will be taken back to your ward on a trolley. Nurses on the ward will carry out routine observations, such as taking your pulse and blood pressure to make sure that there are no problems. You will generally stay in bed for a few hours, until you have recovered. If you have had a lung biopsy, then you will almost certainly have a chest x-ray performed at some stage.
What happens next?
All being well, you will be allowed home either on the same day, or perhaps the next. Do not expect to get the result of the biopsy before you leave, as it always takes a few days for the pathologist to do all the necessary tests on the biopsy specimen.
Are there any risks or complications?
Percutaneous biopsy is a very safe procedure, but there are a few risks or complications that can arise, as with any medical treatment.
If your liver or kidney is being biopsied, then there is a risk of bleeding from the liver, though this is generally very slight. If the bleeding were to continue, then it is possible that you might need a blood transfusion. Very, very rarely, an operation or another radiological procedure is required to stop the bleeding.
If you are having a lung biopsy performed, then it is possible that air can get into the space around the lung. This generally does not cause any real problem, but if it causes the lung to collapse, then the air will need to be drained, either with a needle, or else with a small tube, put in through the skin.
Unfortunately, not all biopsies are successful. This may be because, despite taking every possible care, the piece of tissue which has actually been obtained is normal tissue rather than abnormal. Alternatively, although abnormal tissue has been obtained, it may not be enough for the pathologist to make a definite diagnosis. The radiologist doing your biopsy may be able to give you some idea as to the chance of obtaining a satisfactory sample.
Despite these possible complications, percutaneous biopsy is normally very safe, and is designed to save you from having a bigger procedure.
Percutaneous biopsy is a very safe procedure, designed to save you having a larger operation. There are some slight risks and possible complications involved, but these are generally minor and do not happen very often.