Biopsy
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Tissue sampling
A 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.
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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 Withdrawn fluid and tissue is further evaluated to determine if there are cancerous cells present.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Renal biopsy
In renal biopsy, a small sample of kidney tissue is removed with a needle. The test is sometimes used to evaluate a transplanted kidney. It is also used to evaluate an unexplained decrease in kidney function, persistent blood in the urine, or protein in the urine.
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Pleural biopsy
In a pleural biopsy, a small piece of pleural tissue in the chest is removed with a needle. The biopsy may distinguish between a cancerous and noncancerous disease. It also can help to detect whether a viral, fungal or parasitic disease is present.
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Bladder biopsy
A bladder biopsy is performed if abnormalities of the bladder are found, or if a tumor is grossly visible. During the biopsy a small portion of tissue is removed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
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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.
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Review Date:
8/22/2022+
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