Caring for Yourself After Your Ultrasound-Guided Soft Tissue Core Biopsy

This information will help you care for your biopsy site after your ultrasound-guided soft tissue core biopsy.

Caring for Your Biopsy Site

• You may have swelling and bruising after your biopsy. Apply an ice pack to your biopsy site for 10 to 15 minutes several times during the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure. This will help reduce swelling. The swelling and bruising should go away in about 1 week.
• Keep your biopsy site covered with a bandage for 48 hours after your procedure. After 48 hours, you may remove the bandage.
• You may shower 24 hours after your biopsy. Remember to leave your bandage in place. Let the shower water run over it. After your shower, apply a clean, dry bandage to your biopsy site.
• If you have any bleeding from your biopsy site, apply light pressure with a gauze pad. If the bleeding becomes heavy or doesn’t stop, call 212-639-2000 and ask to be directed to the Ultrasound Department.

Taking Medications

• If you have pain after your biopsy, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) as directed.
  • If you have a history of liver disease, check with your doctor before taking acetaminophen.
• Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain for 24 hours after your biopsy.
• If you take medication to thin your blood (such as aspirin or other anticoagulants), you can take them after your procedure, as long as you aren’t having any significant bleeding from the site. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions.
• For more information about these medications, ask your doctor or nurse for the resource Common Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin E.

Your Biopsy Results

• Your biopsy results will be available 3 to 5 working days after your procedure. Call your doctor’s office for your results.
• Your radiologist will send a report to your doctor. The results of your procedure will be used with other test results to plan your care.

When to Call Your Healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:

• A fever of 101° F (38.3° C) or higher
• New or increased redness around your biopsy site
• Swelling and bruising that doesn’t go away after 1 week
• Increased pain or discomfort
• Bleeding from your biopsy site that doesn’t stop after applying pressure