• Tell your healthcare provider about any health conditions you have

• Tell your provider about all medicines you are taking. This includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, or supplements. This also includes any illegal street drugs.

• Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicines.

• Tell your provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

• Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before the procedure.

• Follow any other instructions from your provider.

• You will change into a hospital gown and lie on a special table. The table that is used will depend on the type of imaging that will guide the biopsy. You may lie on your back, front, or side. Your position depends on where the biopsy is to be done.

• An IV (intravenous) line may be started. This will give you fluids and medicines. You may be given medicine through the IV to help you relax.

• The skin over the biopsy site is cleaned. Medicine is put on the site to numb the skin.

• The radiologist will use CT scan, MRI, X-ray, or ultrasound images as a guide. He or she will put a thin, hollow needle through the skin. It will be guided to the area where the biopsy will be done.

• The needle will take a sample of tissue or fluid from the area. The needle is then taken out. The sample is sent to a lab. It will be checked for cells that aren’t normal.

• You will most likely be able to go home in a few hours.

• Be sure to have a friend or family member drive you home. 

• Care for the insertion site as directed.

Possible risks and complications of an image-guided biopsy include:

• Bleeding inside your body

• Bruising or bleeding at the place where the needle was put in

• Damage to body areas along the path of the needle