Cause, clinical and ultrasound findings

A biopsy is performed when tissue is needed to obtain a histological diagnosis, which is usually when a lesion is considered to be a possible malignancy, inflammatory mass or infection.

Equipment and drugs

Technique

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  Obtain consent after checking the patient procedure form.

  
  
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  Check for coagulation disorders and anticoagulant therapy.

  
  
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  Prepare the patient according to the region being biopsied.

  
  
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  Agree with the clinician on the needle introduction route.

  
  
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  Consider the supine/recumbent position.

  
  
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  Consider neuroleptic sedation in cases where cooperation and tenderness are issues.

  
  
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  Infiltrate the local anaesthetic using aseptic technique and under ultrasound guidance.

  
  
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  Wait for full anaesthesia.

  
  
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  Make a small (2- to 3-mm) incision to aid movement of the larger biopsy needle.

  
  
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  Introduce the biopsy needle under ultrasound visualization.

  
  
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  At least two passes should be made to provide two adequate cores of tissue.

  
  
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  Take the specimens promptly to the laboratory in the agreed-upon transport media.

  
  
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  Consider both microbiological investigation and histopathology studies on all cases.