CT biopsy

Duration of examination

The procedure will take approximately 30 minutes plus your post procedure care.

Please bring with you:

• Your request form
• Medicare and any
• Healthcare cards

Payment on the day of the examination is requested.

What is a CT biopsy?

When an abnormality cannot be clearly defined with other imaging, a needle biopsy may be necessary.

CT guidance is used when the area of interest is unreachable by other diagnostic techniques, CT guidance is used. The biopsy involves removing a small piece of tissue for examination by a pathologist. A needle biopsy is the easiest way that tissue can be safely removed from the body.

Patient preparation

Please do not eat or drink anything for four hours prior to appointment.

Please inform us if you are taking any blood-thinning medication such as Aspirin, Warfarin, Dabigatran or Clopidogrel. You may need to have a blood-clotting test before the procedure and have your medication adjusted by your doctor.

What will happen during the examination?

You will be asked to change into a gown and lie on the CT examination table. CT imaging is used to accurately locate the area of interest.

A safe biopsy path is planned and the entry site marked. Your skin will be cleansed to create sterile conditions and a local anaesthetic is then injected. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the imaging. It is important that you try to keep as still as possible during the procedure.

A radiologist will then position a needle using CT guidance within the area of interest and a small tissue sample is taken. You may hear the noise of the biopsy equipment. This is routine and should not be of concern. Several specimens may be required. The needle will then be removed.

Once any bleeding has stopped at the site of needle entry, a dressing will be applied. Bleeding should be minimal.

Are there any risks?

You will receive a small dose of x‑ray radiation. However, please advise the radiographer if you are, or think you may be pregnant.

Minor internal bleeding can occur but this usually does not require treatment. On rare occasions, bleeding may be more pronounced, requiring admission to hospital for active treatment.

Other risks such as injury to organs or infection are very low. We take every precaution to ensure your procedure is safe and sterile.

These risks must be weighed up against the possible risks of obtaining a diagnosis by surgery or not obtaining a diagnosis at all.

If you have any concerns or symptoms following your biopsy, please consult your doctor or present to an emergency department.

After the examination

You will need to stay in our department for about two hours after the biopsy. Staff will take regular observations checking for possible complications. Chest x‑ray(s) may also be performed in a small number of cases after the biopsy, as part of the monitoring process.

You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you over night.

You may experience some soreness at the biopsy site for which you may take paracetamol.

Your dressing may be removed one day following the procedure, and you may bathe or shower as normal. You should not exert yourself physically for one full day following your biopsy. On the second day, if you feel up to it, you may return to normal activities.

The tissue sample will require detailed examination under microscope by the pathologist. We will not be able to give you any results directly after the examination. The pathologist will send the final results to your doctor.

It is important you understand why and how we will be assisting you. If you have any questions, please call one of our clinics or speak to our staff on the day of your visit.