Credit Valley Hospital Department

Diagnostic Imaging - Ultrasound Guided Biopsy

 

 

 

Description

Diagnostic Imaging

Ultrasound Guided Biopsy

Ultrasound is commonly used to guide biopsies of organs or masses. When a biopsy is performed a needle is used to remove a few cells or a very small piece of tissue. The sample is then sent to the pathology department for analysis. Analysis of the sample takes approximately 1 week, and the results are sent to your doctor.
Please click on the type of biopsy you are having performed for more information on patient preparation.
Kidney
Liver, Pancreas or Abdominal Mass
Breast
Thyroid
Transrectal Prostate Biopsy

Kidney Biopsy

Prior to the procedure, your physician will instruct you regarding:

  • necessary blood work – you will need to have current blood work done within 2 weeks prior to your biopsy appointment day.
  • anticoagulant medication (Coumadin, Heparin, Fragmin, Aspirin, Plavix, anti-inflammatories other than ASA) – please contact your physician if you are taking any of this type of medication as they will need to advise you when to stop taking it prior to your biopsy.

You should take your other routine medications the morning of the procedure with small sips of water.
You should fast after midnight the day prior to the procedure. (Diabetics can have a light breakfast before 6 am the morning of the procedure.)
You should check in at the main reception desk in the Diagnostic Imaging Department 30 minutes prior to your procedure. You will then be brought to the Ambulatory Care area in the Imaging Department for preparation for your biopsy. The biopsy is done in the Ultrasound Department, and takes approximately 30 minutes. Afterwards, you will be monitored in the Ambulatory Care area in the Imaging Department until 5-6 pm the day of the procedure. You must make arrangements for someone to drive you home, and for someone to stay with you overnight after your procedure.

Post Kidney biopsy instructions:
You will be required to have bed rest for the remainder of the day after your procedure.

  1. Avoid heavy lifting or physical activity for 5 days post kidney biopsy.
  2. Aspirin or other blood thinners may be resumed post biopsy. Please consult with your family physician regarding restarting these medications.
  3. Pain medication may be taken for post biopsy pain, however moderate to severe pain should be reported to your physician.
  4. If immediate same day post biopsy bleeding occurs please return to the emergency department of Credit Valley Hospital or your nearest emergency department.
  5. Some bruising may occur over the week following the biopsy. If you have any other concerns about the biopsy site please contact your family physician.
  6. If steristrips or bandage has not come off on its own in one week you may remove it.
  7. If you have any other questions or concerns please contact your family physician.

Liver, Pancreas or Abdominal Mass Biopsy

Prior to the procedure, your physician will instruct you regarding:

  1. necessary blood work – you will need to have current blood work done within 2 weeks prior to your biopsy appointment day.
  2. anticoagulant medication (Coumadin, Heparin, Fragmin, Aspirin, Plavix, anti-inflammatories other than ASA) – please contact your physician if you are taking any of this type of medication as they will need to advise you when to stop taking it prior to your biopsy.

You should take your other routine medications the morning of the procedure with small sips of water.
You should fast after midnight the day prior to the procedure.
You should check in at the main reception desk in the Diagnostic Imaging Department 30 minutes prior to your procedure. You will then be brought to the Ambulatory Care area in the Imaging Department for preparation for your biopsy. The biopsy will be performed in the Ultrasound area, and will take approximately 30 minutes. Afterwards, you will be monitored in the Ambulatory Care area in the Imaging Department for another 3- 4 hours. You must be make arrangements for someone to drive you home, and for someone to stay with you overnight after your procedure.

Post Liver, Pancreas or Abdominal Mass Biopsy instructions:
You will be required to have bed rest for the remainder of the day after your procedure.
1)Avoid heavy lifting or physical activity for 48 hours
2)Aspirin or other blood thinners may be resumed post biopsy. Please consult with your family physician regarding restarting these medications.
3)Pain medication may be taken for post biopsy pain, however moderate to severe pain should be reported to you physician.
4)If immediate same day post biopsy bleeding occurs please return to the emergency department of Credit Valley Hospital or your nearest emergency department.
5)Some bruising may occur over the week following the biopsy. If you have any other concerns about the biopsy site please contact your family physician.
6)If steristrips or bandage has not come off on its own in one week you mayremove it.
7)If you have any other questions or concerns please contact your family physician.
If you have had a recent ultrasound, CT scan or MRI of the organ being biopsied at another hospital, please provide these images prior to the biopsy date. Failure to bring previous relevant imaging may result in cancellation of the biopsy.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Prior to the procedure, your physician will instruct you regarding:

  • anticoagulant medication (Coumadin, Heparin, Fragmin, Aspirin, Plavix, anti-inflammatories other than ASA) – please contact your physician if you are taking any of this type of medication as they will need to advise you when to stop taking it prior to your biopsy.

You should take your other routine medications the morning of the procedure.
You may eat and drink normally.
You should check in at the main reception desk in the Diagnostic Imaging Department 30 minutes prior to your procedure. Please allow 1 hour for the biopsy procedure.
If you have had a recent mammogram or breast ultrasound at an institution other than The Credit Valley Hospital, or Credit Valley Imaging Associates, please provide these images prior to the biopsy date. Failure to bring previous imaging may result in cancellation of the biopsy.

Post Breast Biopsy Instructions:

  1. Keep the biopsy site clean and dry for 48 hours. After this time you may get the area wet without special precautions.
  2. Use the provided ice pack as needed to help reduce swelling.
  3. Avoid heavy lifting or physical activity for 24 hours.
  4. If steristrips or bandage has not come off on its own in one week you may remove it.
  5. Aspirin or other blood thinners may be resumed post biopsy. Please consult with your family physician regarding restarting these medications.
  6. Pain medication may be taken for post biopsy pain, however moderate to severe pain should be reported to you physician.
  7. If immediate same day post biopsy bleeding occurs please return to the emergency department of The Credit Valley Hospital or your nearest emergency department.
  8. Some bruising may occur over the week following the biopsy. If you have any other concerns about the biopsy site please contact your family physician.
  9. If you have any other questions or concerns please contact your family physician.

Thyroid Biopsy

Prior to the procedure, your physician will instruct you regarding:
anticoagulant medication (Coumadin, Heparin, Fragmin, Aspirin, Plavix, anti-inflammatories other than ASA) – please contact your physician if you are taking any of this type of medication as they will need to advise you when to stop taking it prior to your biopsy.
You should take your other routine medications the morning of the procedure.
You may eat and drink normally.
You should check in at the main reception desk in the Diagnostic Imaging Department 30 minutes prior to your procedure (map). Please allow 1 hour for the biopsy procedure.
If you have had a recent thyroid ultrasound at an institution other than Credit Valley Hospital, or Credit Valley Imaging Associates, please bring these images to the biopsy appointment. Failure to bring previous imaging may result in cancellation of the biopsy.

Transrectal Prostate Biopsy

Please allow a minimum of 1 hour and 45 minutes for your appointment.
Check with your referring physician for complete preparation instructions.
Post biopsy instruction sheet will be given to you at the end of the examination.