Hastings Imaging Center
2207 Osborne Drive West
Hastings, NE 68901
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Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy

You may need a breast ultrasound if the radiologist finds a suspicious area on the mammogram or if you or your doctor feels a lump in your breast. Ultrasound is the best way to tell if the finding is a simple cyst (just fluid). If this is the case you may not require further work up. However, if the area proves to be a solid (soft tissue) lesion, biopsy may be required. For your convenience, in conjunction with your physician, you can receive your ultrasound-guided breast biopsy during the same visit as your breast ultrasound.

An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure used to obtain tissue samples for microscopic examination. Ultrasound guidance is used to find the area, which usually cannot be felt. The radiologist removes samples of breast tissue using a special needle. These tissue samples are sent to the pathologist at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital for review. The patient’s healthcare provider will receive a pathology report several days after the biopsy and will review the results with the patient.

THE PROCEDURE

  • You will be lying on your back in a comfortable position.
  • The skin in the area to be biopsied is cleaned with betadine.
  • A local anesthetic will be injected into the breast to numb it.
  • A special “core” needle is inserted into the breast and tissue is removed.
  • The process is repeated to obtain several tissue samples. As the samples are taken, mechanical sounds, including a click, will be heard.
  • Some women report a sensation of pressure. If discomfort is experienced, the radiologist can administer additional anesthetic.
  • After adequate sampling, a marker may or may not be placed at the site of the biopsy so the area can be identified in future mammograms.
  • One the biopsy is complete, pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding and the opening in the skin will be closed with Steri-strips. No sutures are needed.
  • 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 is usually completed within 30 minutes.

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.
  • Wear a two-piece outfit, if possible, since you’ll be asked to undress to the waist.
  • 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.

The biopsy samples are sent to Mary Lanning Hospital for the pathology doctors to do their tests to make a diagnosis. These results will take about two to three days and will be sent to your doctor and Hastings Imaging Center.

YOUR ULTRASOUND-GUIDED BREAST BIOPSY CAN BE PERFORMED ON THE SAME DAY AS YOUR BREAST ULTRASOUND

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