Overview

This information is about having a small (minor) procedure called a biopsy in the interventional radiology (IR) department.

During the procedure, we use an ultrasound or CT scan to guide a special needle into position. We then take a small sample of body tissue and send it to be tested in a laboratory.

The aim of the information is to help answer some of your questions about having a biopsy. It explains:

• what a biopsy is and why you have been sent for one
• what specialist doctors called interventional radiologists do
• how to prepare for a biopsy
• what happens during the procedure
• what happens after the procedure

If you have any questions or concerns about your procedure, please contact the interventional radiology (IR) department.

About a biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to get a small tissue sample. We send this sample to a laboratory for testing. This can help us to diagnose a condition or confirm a diagnosis.

You can usually go home a few hours after the procedure. Your doctor explains:

• where on your body they want to take a tissue sample
• why they want to do this test

You do not get the biopsy results on the same day as your procedure. This is because it takes several days for the laboratory to arrange for the sample to be tested and send us the results.

When your biopsy results are ready, your hospital doctor explains them to you at an appointment in the clinic.

What interventional radiologists do

Interventional radiologists (IR doctors) are specialists, who do minimally invasive, image-guided procedures on different parts of the body. They use different imaging machines, such as an ultrasound or CT scanner, to show them exactly where to go inside the body. This avoids the need for surgical cuts (incisions).

Biopsies done under ultrasound or CT guidance are very safe. This is because the IR doctors can clearly see important organs of the body in real time.

IR doctors work in a team with specialist nurses and radiographers (health professionals who specialise in medical imaging). The whole team looks after you during your procedure and recovery.