Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure that is used to remove a small piece of tissue for diagnostic evaluation. This is done in order to gather more information about a mass, tumor, or other abnormality including abnormal blood work.

A biopsy may be taken from many different parts of the body, including: lymph nodes, lungs, kidney, liver, bone, prostate, thyroid, breast, or soft tissue. 

Aspiration

An aspiration is a procedure that involves removing fluid from the body, either by using a needle or a drainage catheter (tube).

Once the aspiration is done the needle or tube is removed.

Drainage Tube Placement and Management

Drainage tube placement is similar to aspiration. The difference is that the tube is left in place for a period of time(days). When there is no further significant drainage from the catheter it is removed.

Fiducial Marker Placement

Fiducial marker placement is the insertion of tiny gold pellets into a tumor. This is needed in some tumors in order to perform cyberknife radiation therapy.

Biopsies, aspirations, drainage catheters, and fiducial marker placements are performed by an interventional radiologist while using image guidance (CT scan, fluoroscopy, or ultrasound).

Preparing for a Biopsy or Fiducial placement:

• A representative will call you prior to your procedure to review instructions and complete registration.
• You will need to arrange for a driver to take you home. 

PRE-OP:

• Do not eat or drink anything for 12 hours prior to your procedure.
• Make sure to let your doctor know if you have any allergies to medications, or if you are on any blood thinners, including Coumadin (Warfarin), Heparin, Lovenox, Plavix or over-the-counter medications such as Aspirin, as these may need to be stopped prior to the procedure.
• Tell your physician if you are, or could be, pregnant.
• You will need to have your blood tested in order to determine your blood clotting time.

INTRA-OP:

• The sterile procedure uses CT, fluoroscopic (“live X-Ray”), or ultrasound guidance.
• The procedure itself is generally not painful, however light sedation medications may be administered through an IV in order to prevent any discomfort. Local anesthetic will also be applied to the skin overlying the area of interest.
• Once the area is numb a biopsy needle will be inserted into the tissue and a small piece of the tissue will be painlessly removed.
• Once a sufficient sample has been obtained the needle will be removed and a sterile dressing will be applied.

POST-OP:

• After the procedure you may feel relaxed and sleepy as you recover from the sedation.
• You may feel sore at the site where the biopsy was taken, however most patients do not have pain afterwards.
• You should be able to resume your normal activities within 24-48 hours. The results of the biopsies typically take between 24 and 72 hours to obtain. These results will be given to your referring physician and further care will be determined from there. 

If you develop fever or severe pain contact our office at 352-333-7847 (7VIP) or call your referring physician. After hours or on weekends, go to the nearest emergency room or call North Florida Regional Medical Center at 352-333-4000 and ask for the Interventional Radiologist on call.

Preparing for an Aspiration or Drainage Catheter Placement:

• A representative will call you prior to your procedure to review instructions and complete registration.
• You will need to arrange for a driver to take you home.

PRE-OP:

• Do not eat or drink anything for 12 hours prior to your procedure.
• Make sure to let your doctor know if you have any allergies to medications, or if you are on any blood thinners, including Coumadin (Warfarin), Heparin, Lovenox, Plavix or over-the-counter medications such as Aspirin, as these may need to be stopped prior to the procedure.
• Tell your physician if you are, or could be, pregnant.
• You will need to have your blood tested in order to determine your blood clotting time.

INTRA-OP:

• The sterile procedure uses CT, fluoroscopic (“live X-Ray”), or ultrasound guidance.
• The procedure itself is generally not painful, however light sedation medications may be administered through an IV in order to prevent any discomfort. Local anesthetic will also be applied to the skin overlying the area of interest.
• Once the area is numb a needle will be inserted into the fluid to be aspirated or a drainage catheter will be left in place.
• After the procedure a sterile dressing will be applied.

POST-OP:

• You may feel sore at the site, however most patients do not have pain afterwards.
• You should be able to resume your normal activities within 24-48 hours.
• The fluid that was aspirated may be sent to the lab for further testing. The results of this testing typically takes between 24 and 72 hours.

If you develop fever or severe pain contact our office at 352-333-7847 (7VIP) or call your referring physician. After hours or on weekends, go to the nearest emergency room or call North Florida Regional Medical Center at 352-333-4000 and ask for the Interventional Radiologist on call.