|
A stereotactic breast biopsy is a non-surgical
procedure to evaluate mammographic abnormalities
in the breast. It combines mammography with computer
assisted needle placement.
The entire procedure takes approximately an
hour. The patient lies face down on a specially
designed table, which has a hole through which
the breast is placed. Special images of the breast
are taken and the computer precisely locates
the abnormality. The skin is numbed and a biopsy
needle is placed into the abnormality. Tissue
samples are obtained for pathologic analysis.
Following the procedure you may have some bruising
and tenderness for a day or two. Full activity
may be resumed in a couple of days.
Local anesthesia is used to numb the skin. Deep
pain may be experienced during the procedure
since the chest wall nerve endings are not anesthetized.
Most patients experience minimal to mild pain.
Some feel moderate pain and a few experience
severe pain.
Only a tiny incision is made. A special Band-Aid
covers this area after the procedure. Usually
there is no scar.
To visit The Breast Center at the Barnabas Health
Ambulatory Care Center, please click here.
[ top ]
|
