About Your Exam
What is a stereotactic breast biopsy? Stereotactic biopsies are less painful and less invasive than a surgical biopsy. There is also very little scarring or recovery time. This procedure is done on an outpatient setting such as LRA. The cost is also much less than a surgical biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure in which a small amount of tissue is removed from the body for examination. The stereotactic breast biopsy uses a special x-ray unit and a computer to locate lesions in the breast. There is no special preparation for this exam. You may eat or drink as normal and take your medications. Before the biopsy, you will be asked to change into an examination gown. Local anesthetic is given. You will lie on the table on your stomach with the breast positioned through an opening in the table. This position is more comfortable for the patient and makes the procedure easier to perform. A technologist, with special training in biopsies, will position you and start the compression of the breast, much like a mammogram. The images are reviewed on the computer screen and the mass is located. The computer tells the Radiologist the exact position where the needle should be inserted. Once the needle is inserted, additional x-rays are taken to ensure the accuracy of the needle location. Several samples of tissue are removed to ensure an accurate diagnosis. These tissue samples are studied by a laboratory and the results will be sent to your physician. After the exam, you may experience some soreness in the area, but this will go away after a day or so. You can resume your normal activity within a couple of hours. |