GUIDED BREAST BIOPSY ULTRASOUND

• What it is: A quick, outpatient test using ultrasound to steer a needle to a breast lesion for tissue sampling.
• Why Cadabams Diagnostics:
  • Over 30 years of breast-imaging expertise
  • On-site pathologists for 24–48-hour turnaround
  • Dedicated women’s-health suites designed for privacy and calm
  • Patient navigators who explain each step in everyday language

What Is Guided Breast Biopsy Ultrasound?

Definition

A guided breast biopsy ultrasound combines high-frequency sound waves with a hollow needle to obtain tiny tissue samples from a breast lump or abnormality. The radiologist watches the needle in real time on an ultrasound monitor, ensuring pinpoint accuracy without radiation.

How It Differs From Other Techniques

Types of Guided Breast Biopsy Ultrasound

1. Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) – 23–25 gauge needle; quick fluid or cell sampling
2. Core Needle Biopsy (CNB) – 14–16 gauge spring-loaded needle; retrieves 3–6 cylindrical cores for detailed pathology
3. Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy (VAB) – Larger 9–11 gauge probe; collects multiple contiguous samples in one pass, ideal for small lesions

Radiologists evaluate:

• Lesion size and shape
• Margins (smooth vs. irregular)
• Vascularity on color Doppler
• Echogenicity (hypoechoic, isoechoic, hyperechoic)
• Posterior acoustic features (shadowing or enhancement)

• Confirm or rule out breast cancer
• Determine hormone-receptor status (ER, PR, HER2) to tailor treatment
• Guide surgical planning (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy)
• Assess response to neoadjuvant therapy

Indications

• Suspicious finding on screening mammogram or breast ultrasound
• New palpable lump felt during self-exam
• Follow-up of abnormal MRI findings
• Persistent breast pain localized to one spot
  Risk-Factor Considerations
• Ages 30–65 with dense breast tissue
• Family history of breast cancer
• Prior inconclusive core biopsy
• Pregnancy-safe alternative to stereotactic biopsy

Benefits

• Real-time targeting—no guesswork, minimal healthy tissue removal
• Zero radiation—safe during pregnancy and for repeat procedures
• Outpatient convenience—arrive, biopsy, and go home within 2 hours
• Same-day recovery—resume normal life quickly with simple after-care instructions

Illnesses Diagnosed

• Pause blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin) only if your doctor okays it
• No fasting required—eat a light meal to avoid dizziness
• Wear a front-opening top and avoid deodorant or talc on the day
• Bring prior imaging reports on a CD or QR code for comparison

Prerequisites

• Recent mammogram or breast ultrasound images (within 6 months)
• Coagulation profile (PT/INR, platelet count) if you take anticoagulants
• Completed consent form and allergy list

Best Time to Take the Test

• Schedule between day 7–10 of the menstrual cycle when breasts are least tender
• Avoid scheduling during an active breast infection or within 4 weeks of giving birth

Eligibility

• All women with palpable or non-palpable breast lesions visible on ultrasound
• Pregnant women—procedure is radiation-free and safe in any trimester
• Men with suspicious breast lumps (rare but possible)

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Positioning – Lie on your back or turned slightly to the side; arm above head
2. Skin prep – Antiseptic cleansing and sterile drapes
3. Local anesthesia – 1–2 cc lidocaine; you stay awake and comfortable
4. Needle insertion – Real-time ultrasound guides the needle; 3–6 samples taken
5. Post-procedure – Adhesive dressing and light compression; 15-minute observation

Caution Before the Test

• Disclose metal allergies to nickel if vacuum-assisted device is planned
• Inform about pacemaker or implantable devices (rare contraindication for cautery)
• Stop herbal supplements (ginkgo, garlic) that thin blood—ask your physician first