ULTRASOUND GUIDED BIOPSIES

EchoNorth offer both Ultrasound Guided Biopsies and Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) services in conjunction with our Radiologist, Dr Kim Shepherd.

ULTRASOUND GUIDED CORE BIOPSY

An Ultrasound Guided Core Biopsy is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure used to obtain tissue samples for microscopic examination. Ultrasound guidance is used to find the area, which usually cannot be felt. Local anesthetic is used. Our radiologist removes samples of tissue using a special needle, then the tissue samples are sent to a pathologist for review. You will be able to drive home and/or return to work after the procedure. Your Doctor and/or Specialist will receive a pathology report a few days after the biopsy and will review the results with the you.

Areas that commonly use Ultrasound Guided Biopsy for diagnosis are the breast, lymph nodes and thyroid. EchoNorth are unable to offer Ultrasound Guided Lung or Liver Biopsies.

FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION (FNA)

Similarly to Ultrasound Guided Core Biopsies, FNA’s use a fine gauge needle which is inserted in to a lump or area of tissue, with Ultrasound Guidance, by our Radiologist. Cells are drawn up into the syringe and then smeared onto a microscopic slide. This is then send to a pathologist for review. The procedure is not very painful, however local anesthetic can be used, and you are able to drive home and/or return to work after the procedure.

All Ultrasound Guided  Core Biopsies and Fine Needle Aspirations (FNA) require a referral from a Doctor, Specialist or Surgeon and require prior imaging on the area of biopsy.