Needle Biopsy
A needle
biopsy, also known as a fine needle aspiration, is a medical test involving the removal of a small piece of tissue for examination by a pathologist. The test is used to
diagnose abnormal lumps, fluid collections, masses, or lesions in the body, and is often ordered when
cancer is suspected. The most common sites that are biopsied include the breast, thyroid, kidney, lung, lymph nodes, liver and abdominal masses. The test is usually done when the area is inaccessible to other diagnostic techniques, such as bronchoscopy. Needle biopsy is safer and less invasive than an open surgical biopsy (1).
Call us at (888) 360-4215 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal
Typically performed by a radiologist or interventional radiologist, a needle biopsy involves a needle being inserted through the skin and into the abnormal tissue. The doctor may help guide the needle through the use of an x-ray, CT scan, or other imaging technique. A sample of tissue is removed and given to a pathologist, who examines it under a microscope to determine the nature of the abnormality (1, 2).
The entire biopsy procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, though lab analysis usually takes a few days. The procedure is done under a local anesthetic. An x-ray or CT scan may be used to locate the first locate the precise spot of the biopsy. The patient sits or lies down on a table and receives an injection of local anesthetic. During a needle biopsy of the lung, the patient may be asked to hum to prevent air from entering the chest cavity, which could cause lung collapse. Often, several needles are inserted to aid in a more accurate analysis. Upon completion of the procedure, the site is bandaged and an x-ray may be taken (2, 3).