Interventional Radiology – Medical Imaging & Radiology Center
CT guided needle placement for biopsy – Interventional Radiology
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HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE PROCEDURE? You will receive instructions from staff at the interventional radiologist’s office at least a day before the procedure. Make sure to let the staff know if you have any allergies to medications or to contrast material which may be used during this procedure. If you are on any blood thinners such as Aspirin, Coumadin, Lovenox, Heparin, or Plavix please let the staff know. You may have blood drawn for pre-procedure testing at either the hospital or clinic. Staff will advise you if changes in your regular medication schedule are necessary. You will not be able to eat or drink anything from midnight the night prior to your biopsy. Make sure someone will be available to drive you home afterwards. HOW IS THE PROCEDURE PREFORMED? You will lay on the CT scanner table. A radiology tech will take pictures (CT scans) of the site to be biopsied. Following the scan, the radiologist will inject local anesthetic to numb the site used for the biopsy. Using the CT scan as a guide, the needle will be inserted to obtain the biopsy. The needle is then placed into the mass or organ and a small tissue sample is taken and sent to pathology for evaluation. WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE DURING THE PROCEDURE? An IV will be started prior to the procedure. You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the site prior to the needle being inserted. You may also be given some medication through the IV which will help you to relax and help with any pain you may experience otherwise. After the biopsy has been taken you will return to the Heart and Vascular Unit where you will be observed for approximately four hours to make sure you have no complications such as bleeding. |
