Stereotactic Biopsy

If your clinical exam or mammogram shows a lump or other abnormality, the next step is to determine if it is cancerous. This is done with a “biopsy” of the tissue in question. This process involves the removal of a small amount of tissue, usually through a needle, which is then analyzed in a laboratory. A biopsy involves the aspiration, or drawing out, of a few cells or the removal of the abnormality along with some surrounding tissue.

One such biopsy, performed in the comfort of our imaging centers, is the stereotactic breast biopsy. A stereotactic needle biopsy is used for lesions that cannot be easily felt. In this procedure, ultrasound and mammography assist the radiologist or surgeon in locating exactly where to place the needle. Procedures such as the stereotactic breast biopsy are generally performed on an outpatient basis.

The Pictorial Archival Communication Technology is a digital reporting system that allows your radiologic procedures to be transmitted to the neuroradiologist and your private physician within minutes. By the time you are dressed and ready to go, doctors can be reviewing your radiologic procedures and making healthcare decisions. No more carrying films from doctor to doctor.