Breast Biopsy
After the Image Guided Percutaneous Biopsy Procedure

Breast MRI
• After the biopsy procedure, a bandage will be placed over the needle insertion area and a cold pack will be applied to relieve swelling or bruising.
• Patients may take Tylenol (two 500 mg tablets) every four to six hours, for discomfort, if needed.
• Patients may notice some bruising of the area that should dissipate in 5–7 days (or longer if initial bleeding was greater than usual).
• Patients should contact their physician if they experience any excessive swelling, bleeding, drainage, redness, or heat in the area of the biopsy or breast.
• Patients should discuss the final results of the breast biopsy procedure with their referring physician within a few days of the procedure.

Ultrasound Guided Biopsy of the Breasts
Ultrasound is an excellent method of imaging the breasts and ultrasound guidance allows biopsy of the breast from almost any orientation. During an ultrasound–guided biopsy, small samples of tissue are removed from the breast using a hollow needle that is precisely guided to the correct location using continuous ultrasound imaging. During the exam, the patient will lie face up on the standard ultrasound table while being modestly draped exposing only the area of the breast undergoing biopsy. The area is identified by a preliminary ultrasound and then the breast is cleansed and draped.

Prone Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Guidance
During a prone stereotactic core biopsy, the patient lies face down (prone) on a specially designed table with the breast placed through an opening in the tabletop. “Stereotactic” means that the breast biopsy path is imaged from two slightly angled directions to help guide the needle. The tabletop is raised and the radiologist and technologist perform the procedure from beneath. The patient’s breast is slightly compressed and held in position throughout the procedure. Several stereotactic pairs of x–ray images are made. Small samples of tissue are then removed from the breast using a hollow needle that is precisely guided to the correct location using x–ray imaging and computer coordinates.

The radiologist and technologist perform a prone stereotactic biopsy while the patient lies comfortably.

Breast Biopsy Guidance Using Upright Stereotactic Mammography
Breast biopsy using upright stereotactic mammography requires the patient to sit upright in a chair or to lie on their side (lateral recumbent position). The breast biopsy path is imaged from two slightly angled directions to help guide the needle using an upright stereotactic mammography system. The patient’s breast is slightly compressed and held in position throughout the procedure. Several stereotactic pairs of x–ray images are made. Small samples of tissue are then removed from the breast using a hollow needle that is precisely guided to the correct location using x–ray imaging and computer coordinates. Perhaps the most difficult part of this procedure for many patients is the need to sit upright without moving during the biopsy.

The patient is in the lateral recumbent position for biopsy using an upright stereotactic mammography system. The patient is in the seated position during biopsy using an upright stereotactic mammography system.

Indications

• Abnormality detected by a mammogram.
• A lump found by a woman or her doctor during a breast examination, may or may not be cancerous.
• Non–palpable breast abnormalities (lumps that can not be felt).