Ultrasound-Guided Breast Needle Biopsy

What is Ultrasound-Guided Breast Needle Biopsy?

Ultrasound-guided breast biopsies use ultrasound imaging to guide the Radiologist to the site of the breast abnormality.

Patient Preparation

There are several things you can do to make your procedure easier and more efficient.

  • Discuss any medication you are taking with your physician. You will be asked to discontinue the use of blood-thinning medications, including aspirin and aspirin-like products, prior to your biopsy procedure. If you are taking medications such as heparin, coumadin, Warfarin, or Plavix you will need to check with your clinician who prescribed them about discontinuing the use prior to and after the biopsy day.
  • Wear clothing that is comfortable and easy to remove from the waist up. A gown will be provided for your use.
  • Eat a light meal before your procedure. Limit your liquids, so that you do not have to use the restroom during the procedure.
  • The majority of patients are able to drive themselves to and from this appointment, but some prefer to have a friend or relative accompany them to their appointment.

History of previous exams

Have you had any prior studies of the area we are going to be imaging? It is important to give this information to SSR prior to your exam. Be sure to include the facility name and approximate dates/years of exams. This helps us to locate the correct studies and have them available for our Radiologists so they can compare and note any changes that have occurred. If you have a copy of your images, please bring them with you to your appointment.

Exam

  • When you arrive at SSR, a receptionist will give you all of your registration materials for your review. To expedite check in, these materials can be printed online and filled out prior to your appointment by clicking here.
  • At the time of your appointment, you will be assisted to a dressing room. A gown will be provided for your use.
  • You will be positioned lying face up on the ultrasound table or turned slightly onto your side. The skin around the biopsy area will be cleansed and numbed with a local anesthetic injected into the breast with a small, thin needle.
  • A very small nick will be made in the skin at the site where the biopsy needle is to be inserted. The physician will insert the biopsy needle and advance it to the area of concern.
  • Tissue samples are then removed using one of two methods:
    • In a fine needle aspiration, a fine gauge needle and a syringe withdraw fluid or clusters of cells.
    • In a core needle biopsy, usually 4-6 tiny tissue core samples are obtained through the biopsy needle.
  • Once the biopsy is complete, the small skin nick is covered with a dressing. No sutures are required. This procedure is usually completed within an hour.

Results

The results are usually available in three working days. Your referring clinician will receive the pathology report and discuss the findings with you. If cancer is found, your clinician will help you decide on the next step.

Schedule an Appointment!

Has your clinician given you an order or referral for this procedure? Call SSR’s Scheduling Specialists at 360-493-4646 to schedule an appointment. Or, click here for additional information regarding scheduling an appointment.

More Information?

For more information about this and other procedures, visit RadiologyInfo.org.