An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is recommended for patients who cannot or prefer not to undergo radiation imaging. It is a safe and effective procedure that helps doctors find an abnormal mass or a breast lesion. An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is not meant to remove the lesion but to obtain a small sample that can be evaluated so your physician can learn more about the abnormal tissue.

What to expect during the procedure

An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is similar to a typical ultrasound session.

• Patients are asked to lie down on their back and a lubrication gel is applied to ensure that the ultrasound probe glides effortlessly around the breast area. The technologist will mark the site that shows any abnormality and proceed to numb it.
• A small incision is made at the site and a hollow-cored probe is inserted into the breast. The probe collects a small sample of breast tissue.
• After the procedure has been completed, the technologist will place a clip inside the breast to mark the biopsied area. This marker, which cannot be felt, helps technologists locate the biopsied area during future examinations.

How to prepare for the procedure

Patients should prepare for the ultrasound-guided breast biopsy by:

• Wearing a comfortable, two-piece outfit that can be easily removed from the waist up.
• Not wearing any perfume, talcum powder or deodorant near the armpits, breasts and chest, as these can lead to misleading results.
• Not taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medication at least a week before the procedure.
• Discussing medical conditions and allergies to anesthetics and medications with the doctor before the procedure.
• Wearing a tight-fitting bra that can support an ice pack after the procedure; these cold packs are placed near the breast to minimize pain, swellin, and tenderness.

Follow-up care for patients

After the biopsy, patients are advised to:

• Press an ice pack to the biopsied area for 20 minutes at a time. This helps minimize any pain, swelling and tenderness in the breast. Repeat this every 1 to 3 hours and place the cold pack in your bra to maximize the results.
• Not shower for 24 hours after the procedure.
• Not swim or bathe in a hot tub.
• Not indulge in strenuous exercise or lift any heavy objects.
• Not use any blood-thinning medication, as it can initiate bleeding through the biopsied area.
• Allow the steri-strip to come off on its own. Once the steri-strip comes off, it does not need to be replaced.

A pathologist will evaluate the tissue sample and report the findings to your physician within a short time. You can get your test results through your referring physician and discuss your treatment course with them.

Patients who need an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy done can come to TOPS Comprehensive Breast Center. Our facility has some of the latest imaging tools and equipment that aid doctors in providing patients with accurate diagnoses. Our caring staff assists patients and physicians during their medical imaging, ultrasound and surgical procedures.

TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital has nine operating rooms that can be used to perform surgeries in specialties such as ENT, podiatry, pain management, orthopedics, spinal surgery and urology.

Feel free to reach out to us to learn more about the advanced TOPS Comprehensive Breast Center facility.