Image Guided Biopsy
An image-guided biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure where a doctor uses imaging techniques (like ultrasound, CT, MRI, or X-ray/fluoroscopy) to accurately locate an abnormal area (such as a lump, lesion, or suspicious mass) and then remove a small sample of tissue or fluid for laboratory analysis.
Purpose of Image-Guided Biopsy
It helps diagnose conditions such as:
- Cancer
- Infections
- Inflammatory diseases
- Benign tumours or cysts
It’s especially useful when the abnormality is:
- Deep inside the body
- Not easily felt or seen during a physical exam
- Located near critical structures (e.g., lungs, liver, spine, brain)
How It Works
- Patient positioning and preparation.
- Imaging scan performed to precisely locate the area of concern.
- A needle is inserted through the skin (percutaneous) under real-time imaging guidance.
- A small sample of tissue or fluid is collected.
- The sample is sent to a lab for pathological analysis.
Types of Imaging Used
- Ultrasound - Breast, thyroid, liver, soft tissue
- CT scan - Lungs, abdomen, pelvis, retroperitoneum
- MRI - Brain, prostate, spinal lesions
- X-ray/Fluoro - Bone lesions, vertebral bodies, spinal biopsy
