A biopsy is a procedure that involves removing and examining a small sample of body tissue to diagnose or evaluate a condition. Percutaneous biopsy is a type of biopsy performed by an interventional radiologist who uses live imaging (X-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography) and a biopsy needle to obtain a tissue sample from inside the body.
Percutaneous biopsy can be used to obtain tissue samples from the following areas:
After the sample is removed, a pathologist examines it to confirm or make a diagnosis or evaluate a previously diagnosed condition. Percutaneous biopsy is used to diagnose and evaluate a wide variety of conditions, including liver disease, cancer, benign tumors and infections.
A percutaneous biopsy normally takes about an hour, including any sedation or anesthesia your child may need. The procedure may be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
You can expect the following during a percutaneous biopsy procedure:
Some pain and possibly bleeding are normal for this procedure. Rarely, infection can happen where the needle was inserted. Biopsy samples can be taken from almost anywhere on the body and sometimes from deep within the body. It is possible for the biopsy needle to damage other organs during the procedure. This may result in bleeding and can be treated with embolization.
