Breast Biopsy in Greater Houston and East Texas

Percutaneous breast biopsy under imaging guidance (mammography, ultrasound or MRI) is an alternative to open surgical biopsy for the evaluation of indeterminate or suspicious breast lesions. Stereotactic biopsy uses digital mammography along with computer target localization most commonly to biopsy suspicious or indeterminate calcifications in the breast. Occasionally, it can also be used to biopsy masses or lesions not seen under ultrasound.

Ultrasound is also commonly used to guide biopsy of breast lesions visible on ultrasound. It may be performed with either a large hollow needle (automated core breast biopsy) or a vacuum assisted device which grabs the tissue with a vacuum and then uses a cutting tool to free the tissue from the breast. Breast lesions seen best on MRI can be biopsied under MRI guidance.

When it is necessary to do an open surgical biopsy or surgically remove a previously biopsied mass or group of calcifications, a guide wire first is passed directly into the mass or cluster of calcifications to help the surgeon locate the lesion. This procedure may be guided by mammography, ultrasound or MRI.

Your physician will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your breast biopsy.  Please inform your physician of any medications you are taking as well as any allergies you may have.  Also inform your physician regarding a recent illness or other medical conditions.

Women should inform their physician if they are pregnant, or if there is any possibility they may be pregnant.

Radiation Dose: Special care is taken during X-Ray examinations to use of the lowest radiation dose possible while producing the best images for evaluation.