Dr. CristinaMarques Barreto

The radiologist uses the images to locate the abnormality and guide the needle to the sampling site. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, usually without the need for hospital admission. The samples are sent for pathological analysis. At the end, a dressing is applied and the team explains how to care for the area at home.

The choice depends on how the abnormality appears on imaging. When it is clearly visible on ultrasound, sampling can be monitored in real time. Stereotaxy uses mammography images taken from different angles and is often used to investigate microcalcifications. Contrast-enhanced MRI can guide the biopsy when a suspicious finding appears on that exam and cannot be safely located with the other methods.

It is a vacuum-assisted biopsy. The device allows several tissue samples to be collected through a small opening in the skin. Whether it is indicated depends on the finding being investigated.

The anesthetic injection may cause a brief sting. During sampling, you may feel pressure. If you feel pain, let the team know.

Bring your doctor's request, along with the images and reports from previous exams. Tell the team about any allergies and which medications you take, especially those that affect blood clotting. Any medication adjustment must be guided by the responsible team. Confirm the specific preparation when you book.

There may be local tenderness and a small bruise. Follow the team's instructions about the dressing and returning to physical activity. The tissue analysis result is evaluated together with the images to guide the next steps.