Interventional Imaging

General Biopsies

A needle biopsy is a test which can determine the cause of an abnormal lump or mass in your body. A radiologist performs this procedure. The radiologist inserts a tiny needle into the area to remove abnormal tissue, which we give to a pathologist for analysis. The pathologist determines what the abnormal tissue is: cancer, non-cancerous tumour, infection or scar.

Why would I need a needle biopsy?

Typically, you would need a needle biopsy to determine the cause of an abnormal mass somewhere in your body. Imaging tests like mammography, CT scan, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance (MRI) can locate abnormal masses. Still, these tests cannot diagnose the lump Needle biopsies can determine the cause of a strange lump or mass. Your doctors need this information to provide you with the best treatment options.

How to prepare for a needle biopsy?

Usually, no special preparation is necessary. Your physician will tell you if any special diet or medication instructions are required.

How is a Needle Biopsy performed?

The radiologist will start by using some form of imaging such as CT or ultrasound to determine the best approach for the biopsy. Next, this specially trained doctor will wash the area where the needle biopsy is going to be performed and apply a local anaesthetic to numb the area.

The radiologist will then insert a tiny needle into the mass.

They will take X-ray, CT, ultrasound, or mammogram images of the biopsy area during the procedure as well. These images will help to insert the needle in exactly the right place. You usually feel a bit of pressure during the procedure, but not a lot of pain. The interventional radiologist will then use the biopsy needle to remove a small piece of tissue from the mass for analysis. A needle biopsy usually takes around an hour. The tissue (or cell) sample goes to a pathologist, who will analyse the tissue or cells. The results are typically ready in two to three days.

What happens after the biopsy? When can I go home?

After your biopsy, we will ask you to stay for a while so that the staff can watch you and make sure that you are alright. Most people go home between one and four hours after their biopsy. Take things easy for the rest of the day. You may be sore in the biopsy area for one to two days.

What are the risks of having a needle biopsy?

A needle biopsy has few risks because we use such a small needle. Complications are very infrequent: fewer than one percent of patients develop bleeding or infection. A member of your interventional radiology team will discuss the risks of your biopsy with you in detail before the procedure starts. In about 90 percent of the patients, the needle biopsy provides sufficient information for a pathologist to identify the cause of the abnormal tissue. Occasionally, we may ask you to come back for a second procedure.

What are the benefits of a needle biopsy?

Before needle biopsies were possible, patients would need to have surgery to remove tissue. Needle biopsies can often answer questions about your health without surgery.

Breast Biopsy Services - Mzansi X-RAY

A breast biopsy takes a sample of breast tissue and tests it for cancer. This procedure is the only way to verify if breast tissue is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Type of Breast Biopsies

We provide traditional ultrasound-guided and stereotactic-guided biopsies.

Core Needle Biopsy

We use a local anaesthetic to perform core needle biopsies, which affords minimal discomfort. This procedure requires no stitches, and most women can resume normal daily activity immediately. Keep in mind that more than 80% of all breast abnormalities are benign or non-cancerous.

Cyst Aspiration

Cyst Aspiration is a simple procedure performed under ultrasound guidance by placing a needle into the cyst and extracting fluid into a syringe. We use a local anaesthetic before fluid extraction. The process should take no longer than a half-hour, and most women resume to work and normal daily activity immediately.

What to Expect During a Breast Biopsy

Image-guided breast biopsies are quick, non-surgical, minimally-invasive procedures. You will lie on your back or side during the procedure, and local anaesthetic is applied to minimise your discomfort. The radiologist will insert the biopsy needle through a very small incision and collect a few tissue samples. No stitches are needed. We then send the tissue samples to a pathologist for analysis.

How to Prepare for Your Procedure

Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing products, any blood-thinning products and anti-inflammatory medicines for 5 days before the biopsy procedure, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.

  • If you are taking a blood thinner, check with your referring physician before your biopsy, as you may need to discontinue the use of this drug briefly.
  • If you aren't sure whether you should continue or stop taking a specific medicine before your procedure, please contact us at least five days before your scheduled biopsy.
  • On the day of your biopsy, please wear a comfortable two-piece outfit, including a comfortable, supportive bra.
  • Do not use powder, lotion or deodorant on the day of your biopsy.
  • Please consume one light meal before your procedure.

After a Breast Biopsy

Modern image-guided biopsies require very little recovery time. Most women may resume normal activity right away; however, avoid strenuous exercise or certain blood-thinning medications (like aspirin) for 48 hours. After your breast biopsy, most women may follow these recommendations to minimise discomfort and promote healing at the biopsy site:

  • Use an ice pack in your bra for at least 4 hours after your biopsy
  • Sleep in your bra for at least 2 nights
  • Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen (not aspirin) for any discomfort

Ultrasound-guided procedures

Ultrasound helps guide non-invasive procedures. Radiologists use ultrasound waves to locate and examine tissue collection in tendons, muscles, cysts and soft-tissue masses. Ultrasound-guided procedures involve finding the mass with the ultrasound and then using a needle to withdraw a piece of the mass for analysis. If you are having this procedure, the radiologist will use an ultrasound probe to inject a numbing agent at the sample site. Then, the probe will help guide the needle into the mass to take the samples.

  • Extracting fluid more accurately
  • Guiding biopsies more accurately
  • Draining Cysts and abscesses
  • Treating some kinds of tendinitis

M.D. Teleradiology Solutions can assist with the following Ultrasound-Guided Procedures:

  • FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration)
  • Biopsies