Hastings Imaging Center
2207 Osborne Drive West
Hastings, NE 68901
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Stereotactic breast biopsies
Stereotactic breast biopsy is an alternative to open or surgical biopsy. A sample of suspect breast tissue is precisely located with a computer-guided imaging system using x-ray. Two x-ray images of breast tissue are taken at different angles. A computer uses the images to locate the abnormality and calculate precise coordinates. Then the computer guides the radiologist in placing the needle at the exact target. Compared to surgery, stereotactic breast biopsy is also quicker, less painful, and less costly—there are fewer complications, and the procedure requires minimal recovery time. The entire biopsy is obtained through a tiny nick in the skin no more than 5mm in size. There is no need for sutures; the nurse or technologist will simply tape a small dressing to the site. Within days, the skin nick has healed, and there is no longer evidence of a biopsy.
At least half of the women found to have breast cancer by a surgical biopsy undergo a second surgery to ensure the entire tumor is removed or to remove lymph nodes from the armpit to determine if the cancer has spread. Stereotactic breast biopsy allows women found to have breast cancer the opportunity to receive pre-operative counseling and to arrive at a plan that involves a single surgical procedure.
Our Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Team can
Get you in right away to decrease the
Anxiety of waiting!!
THE PROCEDURE
- You will be asked to undress from the waist up and put on a front opening gown and robe.
- In the stereotactic suite, you will lie on your stomach on a special table with a hole through which the breast is placed and aligned with the imaging unit beneath.
- The radiologist performing the procedure will have studied your mammogram to become familiar with the location of the abnormal tissue in your breast. Your breast will be compressed, just as in a mammogram. Several x-rays will be taken to ensure that the breast is positioned correctly.
- The skin will be cleansed; then a local anesthetic is injected with a very fine needle. You may feel a slight sting.
- A small nick is made in your skin and a think, hollow needle is inserted through the nick. Because of the local anesthetic, most patients report only a small amount of discomfort , if any. The device used is called the Mammotome and it allows removal of multiple tissue samples without removing the needle from the breast.
- The radiologist will then use the computerized imaging system to precisely guide the needle to the biopsy area where several small samples will be taken.
- After the needle is removed, small tape dressings called steri- strips will be applied to the area to prevent bleeding. An ice pack will also be applied. This procedure requires no stitches.
- To mark the biopsy site for future monitoring, we place a tiny marker through the needle to mark the spot.
- When the exam is done, you will then recover in a comfortable recliner.
- A mammogram may be performed to confirm that the marker is in the proper position.
- Before leaving the office, you’ll be given instructions for biopsy aftercare that are specific to your individual needs. Your breast should heal quickly, leaving almost no sign of the procedure.
- The procedure should take less than one hour.
- Your breast biopsy samples are analyzed by pathology doctors at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital. The testing takes about two to three days. Results are sent to your doctor and to Hasting Imaging Center.
Instructions for the procedure:
- We will need a list of your current medications. Some medications (such as aspirin or Coumadin) will need to be stopped several days ahead of time. The nurse will inform you of the medications that need to be discontinued and the appropriate length of time.
- Please notify the nurse or technologist if you are allergic to local anesthetic, betadine or latex.
- Please inform the technologist if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
- For your comfort, you may wish to wear a two-piece outfit .You will be asked to undress from the waist up and wear a gown during the exam.
- Wear or bring a comfortable bra that provides firm support.
Risks
This is typically a safe procedure. However, as with all procedures where the skin is pierced, certain risks do exist and may include bruising, infection or hematoma (pooling of blood trapped inside the biopsy area). When one or more of these complications occur, they usually resolve within a brief period of time with the proper medical attention.
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