Image-Guided Biopsy

An image-guided biopsy uses real-time imaging to direct a needle precisely to a target lesion, mass, lymph node, or organ, so a tissue sample can be obtained for diagnosis — without the need for open surgery. It's one of the most common procedures performed by interventional radiologists, and is central to diagnosing everything from suspicious lumps to organ-specific disease.

How image-guided biopsy works

Depending on the location and depth of the target, biopsy is performed under ultrasound, CT, or fluoroscopic guidance. The chosen imaging modality allows the needle to be tracked in real time, confirming it reaches the exact target before a tissue sample is taken. Local anaesthetic is used at the skin entry point; some deeper or more involved biopsies may also use light sedation.

A biopsy needle removes a small core of tissue (core needle biopsy) or, for some targets, a sample of cells (fine needle aspiration). The sample is sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis, and results are returned to the referring doctor — typically within several days to around a week, depending on the complexity of testing required.

What can be biopsied

• Superficial targets — breast lumps, superficial lymph nodes, thyroid nodules, skin and subcutaneous masses
• Solid organs — liver, kidney, and lung lesions, where precise imaging guidance is particularly important given their depth and proximity to other structures
• Bone and soft tissue — suspicious bone lesions or deep soft-tissue masses
• Bone marrow — for haematological investigation

Why image guidance matters

For any target that isn't directly visible or palpable at the skin surface, image guidance is what makes an accurate, safe biopsy possible. It allows the proceduralist to navigate around important structures — blood vessels, nerves, other organs — while confirming the needle is sampling the correct tissue, rather than an area nearby that might not reflect the actual pathology.

What to expect afterwards

Most patients experience mild soreness at the biopsy site for a day or two. Specific aftercare — activity restrictions, monitoring for bleeding — depends on which organ or tissue was sampled. Patients on blood-thinning medication may need to adjust these around the procedure; see our periprocedural anticoagulation guide for general reference, and confirm your specific plan with our rooms.

Common questions