Image-Guided Biopsy at EPIC Imaging

Image-guided biopsy is an extremely accurate method to remove a sample of tissue for testing. During the procedure, the radiologist inserts a small hollow needle, guided by ultrasound, x-ray or other imaging techniques, into the suspicious area. A sample of the tissue is removed and given to a pathologist who looks at it under a microscope to determine what the abnormality is.

The procedure is not designed to remove the entire lesion.The type of technology used to guide the biopsy depends on the nature of the abnormality. Ultrasound offers the benefit of real-time visualization, is low cost and flexible. MRI is extremely useful when abnormalities are not visible in other technologies like certain types of breast cancer. CT and fluoroscopy are also commonly used.