This video explains what to do and expect before, during, and after your percutaneous needle biopsy at MSK.
In this video, we’ll explain what to do and expect before, during, and after your percutaneous needle biopsy at MSK.
A percutaneous needle biopsy is a procedure to collect cells or tissue samples for testing.
An interventional radiologist, also called an IR doctor, will place a needle through your skin to collect the sample.
They’ll use moving images from a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray to guide the needle.
You’ll get medicine to make you calm, relaxed, or sleepy for your procedure. This is called sedation.
Before your biopsy, a nurse will call you to review the medicines you’re currently taking. They’ll tell you which medicines you can keep taking and which ones to stop taking.
The nurse will give you special instructions if you take an anticoagulant, also called a blood thinner; a diuretic, also called a water pill; or any medicines for diabetes or weight loss. Follow their instructions carefully.
If you want to meet with an IR doctor or advanced practice provider to go over your medicines or talk about other concerns, tell the nurse during this call.
You must have a responsible care partner take you home after a procedure with sedation.
Make sure to plan this before the day of your procedure. Tell your care team if you need help.
You can use a taxi or car service, but a responsible care partner must be with you.
If you wear a medical device on your skin, such as a continuous glucose monitor or insulin pump, you may need to take it off for your procedure.
Make sure to bring a replacement device to put on once your procedure is done.
If you're not sure how to manage your glucose levels while your device is off, talk with your healthcare provider before your procedure.
You’ll need to stop eating and drinking at certain times before your procedure. Your healthcare provider may give you different instructions than the ones here. If they do, follow their instructions instead.
Stop eating at midnight, or 12 a.m., the night before your procedure. This includes hard candy and gum.
Between midnight and 2 hours before your arrival time, only drink water; clear apple, grape, or cranberry juice; Gatorade or Powerade; and black coffee or plain tea. It’s OK to add sugar to your coffee or tea, but do not add any amount of any type of milk, creamer, honey, or flavored syrup. Do not eat or drink anything else.
If you have diabetes, pay attention to the amount of sugar in your drinks. It will be easier to control your blood sugar levels if you include sugar-free, low-sugar, or no added sugar versions of these drinks.
It’s helpful to stay hydrated before your procedure, so drink if you’re thirsty. Don’t drink more than you need. You’ll get fluids through an IV during your procedure.
Stop drinking 2 hours before your arrival time. This includes water.
If your healthcare provider gave you different instructions for when to stop eating and drinking, follow their instructions instead.
If you take GLP-1 medicine for weight loss, follow a clear liquid diet starting 24 hours before your procedure. Stop eating or drinking 8 hours before your procedure.
Take only the medicine your care team told you to take the morning of your procedure. It’s OK to take them with a few small sips of water.
When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll check in.
You’ll meet with a nurse, who will attach you to a monitor to track your vital signs.
They’ll place an IV line to give you fluids and sedation.
Tell them the dose of any medicine you took after midnight and the time you took them. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, patches, and creams.
You’ll also meet with a member of the anesthesia team to talk about the type of sedation you’ll get.
Once you feel comfortable and all your questions have been answered, take off any hearing aids, dentures, prosthetic devices, wigs, or religious articles.
Then, a member of your care team will bring you to the procedure room.
Once you’re in the procedure room, they’ll help you onto the procedure table.
You’ll get sedation through your IV to help you relax. You’ll also get fluids through your IV during and after your procedure.
A nurse will clean the skin around your biopsy area.
Then your IR doctor will give you a shot of local anesthesia to numb the area.
Your IR doctor will put the biopsy needle through your skin.
They’ll use the moving images to guide the needle to the right place and collect the tissue sample. You may hear a clicking sound as they do this.
They’ll check the sample to make sure there’s enough tissue. They may need to take more than one sample.
When the procedure is finished, they’ll remove the needle.
Your care team will clean the biopsy site and cover it with a bandage.
After your procedure, a staff member will bring you to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, or PACU.
A nurse will keep track of your body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.
You may get oxygen through a thin tube below your nose, or a mask covering your nose and mouth.
Tell your nurse if you’re feeling pain. They may give you medicine to help.
Your care team will tell you when it’s safe for you to go home. Most people go home a few hours after their procedure. You’ll need a responsible care partner to go with you.
Once you’re home, you can go back to your normal diet right away.
Do not take a tub bath or put the biopsy area underwater for 24 hours after your procedure.
You can shower the day after your procedure. Make sure to take off the bandage before you shower.
After you shower, leave the biopsy area uncovered. Do not put another bandage on.
You can keep doing your normal activities after your biopsy.
If you take a blood thinner, you may need to stop taking it. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
Your care team will send your sample to a lab to be tested.
Results are often ready within 5 to 7 business days.
Your care team will call you with your results or talk with you about them at your follow-up visit.
Call the IR doctor who did your biopsy if:
• You have a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher,
• The biopsy site is getting more painful,
• You feel lightheaded or dizzy,
• You have any new symptoms, or
• You have any questions or concerns about your procedure.
Getting ready for a procedure can be stressful, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you have any questions, contact a member of your care team.
You can also visit msk.org/pe to search for educational resources, videos, and online programs.
