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Cyst Aspiration and Biopsies


Hudson Valley Radiology Associates offers a range of state-of-the-art minimally invasive procedures to help diagnose or treat breast lumps or suspicious findings. These procedures include the aspiration of cysts, where the radiologist uses ultrasound and inserts a small needle to withdraw the fluid inside a cyst to relieve discomfort or confirm a diagnosis.
Our expert mammographers also provide a full range of advanced biopsy procedures, including: core needle, stereotactic, ultrasound-guided, MRI-guided biopsies and breast localization. Each of these procedures allows doctors to pinpoint the precise location of a suspicious area of the breast and then remove it with minimal pain and disruption of surrounding tissue. Remember that four out of five biopsies are benign and not cancerous.

Core Needle Biopsies

 


In a core needle biopsy, the radiologist locates the lump or abnormality that can be seen on a mammogram, sonogram or MRI. A hollow core needle is then placed inside the abnormality. The needle will then withdraw a small amount of tissue that will be sent to a lab for analysis.


Prior to the procedure, you will be given some local anesthetic similar to the anesthetic used for dental procedures to numb the area. You may feel some pressure and mild discomfort but most patients do not feel pain. The doctor will insert the needle several times to get adequate tissue samples.

After the procedure, you can resume normal activities immediately. You may experience some slight bruising but should not have a scar. It may take several days to one week to obtain results from the lab.
Stereotactic Biopsies

 

A stereotactic biopsy uses mammography, a special breast x-ray, to guide doctors to a lump or abnormality that can’t be felt or seen on ultrasound, but that can be seen on the mammogram. It creates a 3-D picture of the lump’s location to guide the radiologist to the right area with maximum accuracy.


During this procedure, you will lie face down on a special table that allows your breast to be placed in an opening. The radiologist will raise the table and perform a core needle or vacuum assisted biopsy from under the table. Your breast will be somewhat compressed during the procedure.

MRI-Guided Biopsies

 

As with the biopsies noted above, the MRI-guided biopsy uses MRI to guide the radiologist to the exact location of the lump. MRI biopsy is usually used when the lump can be seen on breast MRI, but cannot be readily seen on mammogram or ultrasound. The procedure is similar to those described above.

Vacuum-Assisted Biopsies

 

Vacuum-assisted biopsy devices are used for stereotactic and MRI guided biopsy and selected ultrasound guided biopsies. The device is a special probe that applies suction and allows retrieval of more tissue. Breast tissue is drawn into the sampling chamber of the probe with the vacuum and then cut. Several pieces of tissue are always obtained during biopsies, regardless of the type of needle used.


As with the other biopsies described here, after the procedure, you should experience minimal discomfort and no scarring, and you may resume normal activities.

Core Needle Biopsy

 

In a core needle biopsy, the radiologist locates the lump or abnormality that can be seen on a mammogram, sonogram or MRI. A hollow core needle is then placed inside the abnormality. The needle will then withdraw a small amount of tissue that will be sent to a lab for analysis. Prior to the procedure, you will be given some local anesthetic similar to the anesthetic used for dental procedures to numb the area. You may feel some pressure and mild discomfort but most patients do not feel pain. The doctor will insert the needle several times to get adequate tissue samples. After the procedure, you can resume normal activities immediately. You may experience some slight bruising but should not have a scar. It may take several days to one week to obtain results from the lab.



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