Image guided percutaneous (through the skin) biopsy is minimally invasive, causes little pain and requires no stitches. Each type of percutaneous biopsy (fine needle aspiration/FNA, core biopsy, suction assisted biopsy) is achieved through one of the following image guidance methods:

• Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy.
• Prone Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Guidance.
• Breast Biopsy Guidance Using Upright Stereotactic Mammography.

In each case, once the biopsy tissue samples are removed, they are analyzed by a pathologist to determine their type. Patients undergo image guided percutaneous biopsy procedures while awake. Many patients resume their normal lifestyle and routine the same day of the procedure.

Image Guided Percutaneous Biopsy Procedure

• Patients may eat a light breakfast prior to the exam and biopsy procedure.
• A comfortable two piece garment should be worn.
• Women should not wear talcum powder, deodorant, lotion or perfume under their arms or on their breasts on the day of the exam.
• Patients who take blood thinners and aspirin should discontinue using them prior to the exam (3 days for coumadin or other blood thinners, 7 days for aspirin or ibuprofen).
• Any jewelry worn (especially earrings or necklaces) should be easily and quickly removable, especially if the patient will undergo a prone (lying face down) procedure.
• The skin of the breast is cleansed and then anesthetized with a small hypodermic needle and a sampling needle is placed in the breast (under one of the three guidance methods: upright stereotactic imaging, prone stereotactic imaging, ultrasound imaging).
• Patients may experience a slight pressure, but should not experience any pain. Typically, several samples are removed.
• The samples will be sent to the pathology laboratory for diagnosis.
• The exam will last approximately one hour. During the procedure, the patient will be informed of what is occurring and what she will need to do to assist in the exam. There will be some minor bleeding when the needle is placed.