What to expect
Before
You need a referral from your doctor to be able to book an appointment for this scan.
Most needle biopsy procedure don’t require any preparation on your part. However, you will be asked to stop taking blood-thinning medications in the days before biopsy. When you book your appointment, you will be advised of all preparation details, including which blood tests to arrange.
During
Your healthcare team will position you so that there will be optimal access to the area of interest.
The type of imaging you will undergo will depend on which part of your body is being biopsied. An anaesthetic may be injected into the skin around the area to numb it. In some cases, you may receive sedation or other medications to relax you during the procedure. During the needle biopsy, the radiologist guides a needle through your skin and into the area of interest. A sample of tissue is collected and the needle is then withdrawn. This may be repeated several times to ensure adequate sample is obtained.
You will experience mild discomfort during your needle biopsy, such as a sensation of pressure in the area.
After
Following the procedure, you will be transferred to Mercy Hospital's day-stay unit, where you will rest on a bed for a period of 2-3 hours. Observations, including blood pressure and pulse rate, will be taken to ensure no immediate complications.
Resumption of normal activities after the biopsy is dependent on nature of biopsy and you should discuss this with your interventional radiologist. If you receive sedation as part of your anaesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.