What is a percutaneous biopsy?

A needle biopsy is a way of taking a small piece of tissue out of your body, using only a tiny incision, so that it can be examined under a microscope. Because this biopsy is done through the skin, it is called a percutaneous biopsy. To ensure that the biopsy is taken from the area of abnormality and to guide the needle to area of interest, interventional radiologist use either ultrasound or CT guidance. This is called image guided biopsy.

Why do I need a percutaneous biopsy?

Other tests that you probably have had performed, such as an ultrasound scan or a CT scan, will have shown that there is an area of abnormal tissue inside your body. From the scan, it is not always possible to say exactly what the abnormality is and the simplest way of finding out is by taking a tiny piece of it (biopsy).

What actually happens during a percutaneous biopsy?

You will lie on the x-ray, ultrasound or scanning table, in the position that the radiologist has decided is most suitable.

You may need to have a needle put into a vein in your arm, so that the radiologist can give you a sedative or painkillers.

The radiologist will keep everything sterile. Your skin will be cleaned with antiseptic, and you may have some of your body covered with a theatre towel.

The radiologist will use the ultrasound machine or the CT scanner to decide on the most suitable point for inserting the biopsy needle. Then your skin will be anaesthetised with local anaesthetic, and the biopsy needle inserted into the abnormal tissue.

While the first part of the procedure may seem to take a while, actually doing the biopsy does not take very long at all, and the needle may be in and out so quickly that you barely notice it.