Biopsy
Tissue samplingA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
Biopsy catheter
When a small piece of heart muscle tissue is needed for examination, a heart biopsy can be performed. A catheter is carefully threaded into an artery or vein to gain access into the heart. A bioptome (catheter with jaws in its tip) is then introduced. Once the bioptome is in place, three to five small pieces of tissue from the heart muscle are removed. The test is performed routinely after heart transplantation to detect potential rejection. It may also be performed when cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, cardiac amyloidosis, or other disorders are suspected.
Biopsy catheter
illustration
Open biopsy of the breast
An open biopsy can be performed under local or general anesthesia and will leave a small scar. Prior to surgery, a radiologist often first marks the lump with a wire, making it easier for the surgeon to find.
Open biopsy of the breast
illustration
Core needle biopsy of the breast
A core needle biopsy of the breast is a procedure to remove samples of tissue from a lump or suspicious area of the breast and evaluate it for breast cancer. Core needle biopsy uses a long, hollow needle to take several core samples of tissue, usually using ultrasound or mammographic guidance. The samples are then sent to a lab for analysis.
Core needle biopsy of the breast
illustration
Needle biopsy of the breast
A needle biopsy is performed under local anesthesia. Simple aspirations are performed with a small gauge needle to attempt to draw fluid from lumps that are thought to be cysts. Fine needle biopsy uses a larger needle to make multiple passes through a lump, drawing out tissue and fluid. Withdrawn fluid and tissue is further evaluated to determine if there are cancerous cells present.
Needle biopsy of the breast
illustration
Lung tissue biopsy
To obtain a sample of lung tissue for biopsy, a needle is inserted within the lung and a sample is withdrawn and sent to the laboratory. The laboratory test isolates and identifies organisms that cause infection from the lung specimen. A lung needle biopsy culture is performed when infection of the lung is suspected and sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage cultures have not identified the cause of the infection.
Lung tissue biopsy
illustration
Salivary gland biopsy
A small piece of salivary gland is removed for examination by needle biopsy if abnormal lumps are found, or to test for Sjogren syndrome. The biopsy needle removes a small "core" of gland tissue which is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Salivary gland biopsy
illustration
Gum biopsy
Gum biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a small piece of gingival (gum) tissue is removed for examination. The test is performed when examination of the mouth reveals abnormal-appearing gum tissue.
Gum biopsy
illustration
Nasal biopsy
A nasal biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed from the mucosal lining of the nose. The biopsy is most often performed when abnormal tissue is observed during an examination of the nose, or when disorders affecting the nasal mucosal tissue are suspected.
Nasal biopsy
illustration
Sentinel node biopsy
Sentinel node biopsy is a technique which helps determine if a cancer has spread (metastasized), or is contained locally. When a cancer has been detected, often the next step is to find the lymph node closest to the tumor site and retrieve it for analysis. The concept of the "sentinel" node, or the first node to drain the area of the cancer, allows a more accurate staging of the cancer, and leaves unaffected nodes behind to continue the important job of draining fluids. The procedure involves the injection of a dye (sometimes mildly radioactive) to pinpoint the lymph node which is closest to the cancer site. Sentinel node biopsy is used to stage many kinds of cancer, including lung and skin (melanoma).
Sentinel node biopsy
illustration
Nerve biopsy
Nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of nerve for examination. Through a small incision, a sample of nerve is removed and examined under a microscope. Nerve biopsy may be performed to identify nerve degeneration, identify inflammatory nerve conditions (neuropathies), or to confirm specific diagnoses.
Nerve biopsy
illustration
Biopsy catheter
When a small piece of heart muscle tissue is needed for examination, a heart biopsy can be performed. A catheter is carefully threaded into an artery or vein to gain access into the heart. A bioptome (catheter with jaws in its tip) is then introduced. Once the bioptome is in place, three to five small pieces of tissue from the heart muscle are removed. The test is performed routinely after heart transplantation to detect potential rejection. It may also be performed when cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, cardiac amyloidosis, or other disorders are suspected.
Biopsy catheter
illustration
Open biopsy of the breast
An open biopsy can be performed under local or general anesthesia and will leave a small scar. Prior to surgery, a radiologist often first marks the lump with a wire, making it easier for the surgeon to find.
Open biopsy of the breast
illustration
Core needle biopsy of the breast
A core needle biopsy of the breast is a procedure to remove samples of tissue from a lump or suspicious area of the breast and evaluate it for breast cancer. Core needle biopsy uses a long, hollow needle to take several core samples of tissue, usually using ultrasound or mammographic guidance. The samples are then sent to a lab for analysis.
Core needle biopsy of the breast
illustration
Needle biopsy of the breast
A needle biopsy is performed under local anesthesia. Simple aspirations are performed with a small gauge needle to attempt to draw fluid from lumps that are thought to be cysts. Fine needle biopsy uses a larger needle to make multiple passes through a lump, drawing out tissue and fluid. Withdrawn fluid and tissue is further evaluated to determine if there are cancerous cells present.
Needle biopsy of the breast
illustration
Lung tissue biopsy
To obtain a sample of lung tissue for biopsy, a needle is inserted within the lung and a sample is withdrawn and sent to the laboratory. The laboratory test isolates and identifies organisms that cause infection from the lung specimen. A lung needle biopsy culture is performed when infection of the lung is suspected and sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage cultures have not identified the cause of the infection.
Lung tissue biopsy
illustration
Salivary gland biopsy
A small piece of salivary gland is removed for examination by needle biopsy if abnormal lumps are found, or to test for Sjogren syndrome. The biopsy needle removes a small "core" of gland tissue which is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Salivary gland biopsy
illustration
Gum biopsy
Gum biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a small piece of gingival (gum) tissue is removed for examination. The test is performed when examination of the mouth reveals abnormal-appearing gum tissue.
Gum biopsy
illustration
Nasal biopsy
A nasal biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed from the mucosal lining of the nose. The biopsy is most often performed when abnormal tissue is observed during an examination of the nose, or when disorders affecting the nasal mucosal tissue are suspected.
Nasal biopsy
illustration
Sentinel node biopsy
Sentinel node biopsy is a technique which helps determine if a cancer has spread (metastasized), or is contained locally. When a cancer has been detected, often the next step is to find the lymph node closest to the tumor site and retrieve it for analysis. The concept of the "sentinel" node, or the first node to drain the area of the cancer, allows a more accurate staging of the cancer, and leaves unaffected nodes behind to continue the important job of draining fluids. The procedure involves the injection of a dye (sometimes mildly radioactive) to pinpoint the lymph node which is closest to the cancer site. Sentinel node biopsy is used to stage many kinds of cancer, including lung and skin (melanoma).
Sentinel node biopsy
illustration
Nerve biopsy
Nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of nerve for examination. Through a small incision, a sample of nerve is removed and examined under a microscope. Nerve biopsy may be performed to identify nerve degeneration, identify inflammatory nerve conditions (neuropathies), or to confirm specific diagnoses.
Nerve biopsy
illustration
Biopsy
Tissue samplingA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
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Biopsy
Tissue samplingA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
Review Date: 9/3/2018
Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, general surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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