An ultrasound biopsy is a medical procedure that combines imaging technology with tissue sampling to help diagnose various conditions. It utilizes high-frequency sound waves to generate real-time images of internal body structures, allowing healthcare providers to precisely guide a needle to an area of concern and collect tissue for examination. This approach offers a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical biopsies, providing crucial information for diagnosis.
What is an Ultrasound Biopsy
An ultrasound biopsy uses sound waves to create live images of internal body structures, known as sonography. This real-time guidance allows a doctor to accurately target a suspicious area, such as a lump, and remove a small tissue sample. The primary goal is to determine if a mass is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), or to diagnose other medical conditions. Examining the tissue under a microscope provides a definitive diagnosis, and visualizing the needle’s path helps minimize complications.
When is an Ultrasound Biopsy Performed
An ultrasound biopsy is recommended when a doctor identifies a suspicious lump or mass during a physical examination or through other imaging tests, such as mammograms, CT scans, or MRIs. It helps evaluate these abnormalities to determine their nature.
Common anatomical sites where ultrasound biopsies are frequently performed include the breast, thyroid gland, liver, and lymph nodes. It is also used for soft tissues and can assess lesions as small as 5 millimeters. A team of healthcare professionals, including the referring doctor and a radiologist, confirms if ultrasound guidance is the most suitable method.
The Ultrasound Biopsy Procedure
Before an ultrasound biopsy, patients may need to fast for 4 to 6 hours. They are also advised to temporarily stop blood-thinning medications, like aspirin, several days prior to reduce bleeding risk. Patients should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and avoid applying lotions, powders, or deodorants to the area to be examined.
During the procedure, the patient lies on an examination table. A medical professional applies gel to the skin over the area of interest, which helps the ultrasound transducer glide smoothly and create clear images. The radiologist or sonographer then precisely locates the target area using these images.
Once the target is identified, a local anesthetic is injected to numb the skin and deeper tissues. A small incision is then made, through which a biopsy needle is inserted. The ultrasound guides the needle into the suspicious area, and the doctor may take several tissue samples to ensure sufficient material for laboratory analysis. Patients remain awake throughout the procedure, which takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
After samples are collected, the needle is removed, and pressure is applied to the biopsy site to prevent bleeding. A bandage is then placed over the small incision. In some cases, a marker may be left at the biopsy site for future reference.
Recovering and Understanding Your Results
Following an ultrasound biopsy, patients can return to most activities shortly after. Mild discomfort, soreness, bruising, or slight swelling are common for a few days. Applying an ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes at a time during the first 24 to 48 hours helps manage swelling and discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, may be recommended for pain.
Patients are advised to keep the biopsy site clean and dry and to avoid strenuous activity for 24 to 48 hours. While showering is permitted after 24 hours, baths or submerging the site should be avoided for several days. Seek immediate medical attention for persistent bleeding, severe pain, or signs of infection like fever or spreading redness.
The collected tissue samples are sent to a pathology laboratory for examination under a microscope. The time to receive results can vary. Straightforward results may be available within 1 to 2 days, while complex cases or those requiring additional tests can take 7 to 10 days, or up to 2 weeks. Your healthcare provider will receive the final report and discuss the findings, explaining what they indicate and any next steps.
Risks and Benefits of Ultrasound Biopsy
An ultrasound biopsy carries a few potential risks. Minor risks include temporary soreness, bruising, or bleeding at the biopsy site. Infection risk is low, occurring in less than one percent of patients. Rarely, a hematoma (collection of blood) can form, or the needle could inadvertently affect nearby structures.
The benefits of an ultrasound biopsy provide significant diagnostic information. Its minimally invasive nature avoids larger surgical incisions and results in little to no scarring. The procedure is quick, often completed in under an hour, with brief recovery.
Ultrasound imaging does not involve ionizing radiation, making it a safer option for many, including pregnant individuals. The real-time guidance ensures accuracy in targeting the suspicious area, allowing precise tissue sampling and a definitive diagnosis. This helps avoid unnecessary open surgical procedures and facilitates informed treatment decisions.