DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING - ULTRASOUND-GUIDED BREAST BIOPSY

When an abnormality is found on a mammogram and can be seen by ultrasound, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is a noninvasive, highly accurate way to decisively determine whether a lump is cancerous or not. With the use of the ultrasound probe to help guide placement, a biopsy needle is place directly in the lump. Tissue samples from the lump are then taken and sent to a pathologist.

When a breast biopsy is going to be performed surgically, a guide wire is first positioned directly into the mass. This guide wire is often placed with the help of ultrasound.

Ultrasound guided breast biopsies and placement of guide wires for open surgical biopsies are minimally invasive procedures. Patients are awake the entire time and may feel some slight discomfort.

If you are scheduled for an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy and have questions or concerns, please call 252-384-5144 to speak with one of our professionally trained sonographers.