Radiology

will only have to remove your top. Don’t use any deodorant, powders,

lotions, or creams on your chest area before your exam because these

products can show up on the x-ray image. If you think you are pregnant,

painful, less invasive way to obtain the tissue sample needed for

diagnosis of the abnormality revealed on your mammogram. This procedure

requires much less recovery time than does an excisional biopsy, and there

room and asked to change into a hospital gown. A female technologist will

ask you to lie face down on a special biopsy table. Your breast will be

positioned through a round opening in the table. The table will be raised

so the radiologist and technologist can work from below. Your breast will

be compressed with a compression paddle, just as it was during your

mammogram. When the area of the breast containing the lesion is correctly

positioned, two x-ray images of the same area will be taken from different

angles. With the help of the computer, the exact positioning of the biopsy

needle is determined from these images. The radiologist will numb the

biopsy area by injecting a local anesthetic into your breast. This will

sting. After this area has become numb, the radiologist will insert the

biopsy needle into your breast. You will hear a loud click as the needle

is positioned. When the radiologist is sure the needle is in the proper

position tissue samples will be taken. You will hear noises from the

equipment being used and you will feel a tugging in your breast. Tell the

technologist and radiologist if you feel pain and more numbing medicine

will be given. When all the tissue samples needed have been taken, the

needle will be removed and the compression paddle released. The

technologist will hold pressure on the biopsy site. The tissue sample will

Two mammogram pictures will be taken of your breast. Most women feel fine

after the procedure and return to their normal routine right away.

However, we do recommend that strenuous exercise or activity be avoided

for al least 24 hours. Your doctor will receive the pathology report 2-3

days after the biopsy. Your physician will discuss the results with you

and give you instructions about scheduling a follow up mammography