Percutaneous biopsy is a less invasive and faster alternative to surgical biopsy, involving the insertion of a needle through the skin to collect a sample. Techniques include core biopsy, fine needle aspiration biopsy, and vacuum-assisted biopsy. Ultrasound can be used to guide the needle. The procedure is less accurate than surgical biopsy and may not allow for the extraction of entire growths. Doctors can discuss options with patients.
A percutaneous biopsy is a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted through the skin to collect a sample of interest. The term “percutaneous” literally means “through the skin”, with this term being used specifically to refer to a needle biopsy, rather than an open surgical biopsy where the patient is opened to expose the area of interest for the purpose of collecting a champion. Percutaneous biopsies are much less invasive and are also faster than traditional surgical biopsies, with reduced healing time and a lower risk of complications.
Several techniques can be used to obtain a sample in a percutaneous biopsy. In a core biopsy, a large-gauge needle is inserted and used to extract a piece of soft tissue or bone. In fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, a smaller needle is inserted and a syringe is used to create a vacuum, drawing a sample into the needle. Larger biopsy needles can be used in a vacuum-assisted biopsy, where a larger sample or even a small growth can be removed with the use of a vacuum device.
If a biopsy is used to take a sample of a palpable growth, a percutaneous biopsy will involve palpation of the area to identify and isolate the area of interest, followed by careful insertion of the needle to collect a sample. In cases where a growth is more difficult to identify, ultrasound can be used to guide the biopsy needle, making sure it ends up in the right place.
The major disadvantage of percutaneous biopsy is that it is less accurate than open surgical biopsy, as it is difficult to see exactly where the needle is going. Choosing to use percutaneous biopsy rather than an open surgical biopsy also eliminates the ability to see the surrounding area to look for signs of tissue death, other growths, and signs of other problems, which means that sometimes the severity of a condition it is underrated. It can also be more difficult to extract entire growths, a technique sometimes used when a problem seems small, with the surgeon removing the problem tissue and sending it for biopsy to confirm that it was a problem and to check the tissue margins for ensure that the malignant growth has been completely excised.
Percutaneous biopsy is often an option when a biopsy needs to be done, and a doctor can discuss the various options along with their pros and cons. In some cases, an open surgical biopsy may need to be done for various reasons, but in other cases, a doctor may be willing to be flexible to address the patient’s concerns.
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