Ultrasound-guided biopsy is a precise method of removing tissue for examination to confirm a diagnosis. It can be used on small masses and is helpful in diagnosing conditions early. The procedure is performed on various parts of the body and is usually an outpatient procedure.
When a person has a lump or some type of disease like cancer in their organs, doctors obviously want to figure out the cause before taking the significant step of removing a lot of tissue. They can do this by performing a biopsy, which removes a small amount of tissue for examination to help confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy might be done in what’s called a “blind” mode, where the doctor uses X-rays or touch to determine which section of tissue needs to be removed, and then does so based on pre-sights or touch. Alternatively, a common method for precisely removing cells that should be analyzed is an ultrasound-guided biopsy.
In an ultrasound-guided biopsy, your doctor uses an ultrasound machine to pinpoint the area where it’s best to remove tissue. The ultrasound wand or transducer emits sound waves into the body and then calculates their return. The way sound returns and is received creates an image on a corresponding screen that can show very small abnormal masses or areas where it would be best to remove tissue for examination.
One reason ultrasound-guided biopsy can be so helpful is because it gives the doctor a current, accurate picture as they remove tissue. The accuracy of the location of the biopsy is critical to correctly diagnose the conditions. Another advantage of this procedure is that it can be used on masses too small to be felt. This gives doctors a way to diagnose conditions early and can be especially helpful when survival rates of certain conditions improve with early treatment.
There are numerous parts of the body that an ultrasound-guided biopsy could be performed on. These include the breasts, lymph nodes and many major organs. For breast biopsy, most patients are conscious and receive a local anesthetic. The ultrasound itself is usually not painful, but removing the tissue by needle or other methods can be uncomfortable and pain relief in the area of removal is needed. More extensive biopsies such as those of the liver can be done on people who are conscious or are in various stages of sedation.
Many ultrasound-guided biopsies are outpatient procedures, and many patients go home the same day they have one. It may take a few days later to determine the nature of the biopsied tissue, although sometimes the biopsied tissue can be examined right away. Usually, however, people can expect to meet or speak with their doctors a few days after their ultrasound-guided biopsy to get the results and plan treatment if needed.
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