Biopsy

Needle biopsy is a medical procedure performed by a diagnostic or interventional radiologist to identify the cause of a lump or mass, or other possible abnormality identified in the body. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a small needle, guided by X-ray, ultrasound or other imaging techniques, into the abnormal area.  A sample of tissue is removed and sent to a pathologist who looks at it under a microscope to determine if there is an abnormality – for example, cancer, a non-cancerous growth, infection, cyst or scar.

Each type of biopsy has specific patient preparation instructions, so please call one of our offices to discuss in detail if you have questions.

The following types of biopsies, after review of the specifics related to the area to be biopsied and approval of the San Diego Imaging radiologist, are performed in a comfortable and convenient outpatient setting at our Kearny Mesa Center:

• Abdominal / Retroperitoneal
• Bone Lesion
• Bone Marrow
• Liver
• Lung
• Lymph Node
• Mediastinum
• Pancreas
• Parotid / Salivary Gland
• Renal Biopsy (Native or Transplant)
• Prostate
• Soft Tissue / Muscle Mass
• Thyroid

Breast biopsies are performed at the following San Diego Imaging centers:

San Diego Imaging – Chula Vista
619.397.6577
San Diego Imaging – Oceanside
760.630.0014

For more information about needle biopsy, please click here.