Home
Services
Biopsy Procedure

Biopsy Procedure

Computed Tomography (CT) Biopsy Procedure

A computerised tomography (CT) scan is a medical test that uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the structures inside the body, including the internal organs, blood vessels and bones.

A CT scan can be used to guide a Consultant Radiologist to take a sample of cells or a biopsy from a specified location in the body. Once the sample of cells have been removed, they are sent to the Medical Laboratory here they are analysed by a specialist team. Common sites that can be biopsied include lung tissue, bones, organs and
lymph nodes.

CT Images will be taken before, during and after the biopsy.
CT Biopsies are generally carried out under a day case or inpatient admission

You will receive an appointment letter which will mention anything you need to do to prepare for your procedure.
This letter will provide you with an admission date and time.
If you are on blood thinning medication, you may be asked to stop taking this medication for a certain number of days – this will be explained to you.
You will need to fast for 6 hours prior to the procedure.
You will likely be given a sedative for the procedure so you will need to arrange for someone to collect you after your procedure. You will not be able to drive.
Women of childbearing age (12-55) should inform our staff at the time of making their appointment if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. CT scans aren’t usually recommended for pregnant women unless in the case of an emergency.

You will arrive at the Admissions Department and your information will be checked. The admissions team will inform you which ward or day unit to go to.
In the ward or day unit you will be shown to a cubicle/bay where you will have pre-checks carried out by the nursing team and you will be asked to change into a gown.
A small needle/cannula may be inserted into your arm. This can be used to administer any medication required e.g. sedative.
You may also have bloods taken.
You will be called to the Radiology Department for your procedure. Here you will meet the Consultant Radiologist who will be performing the biopsy. They will explain the procedure outlining the risks involved and ask you to sign a consent form. You can ask the Consultant Radiologist any questions you may have at this time.

For the procedure you will be moved to the CT scan room. Here you will meet the team who will assist the Consultant Radiologist with the procedure (Nurses and Radiographers).
During the procedure, you will lie on a table that can slide in or out of the CT scanner which is a donut/ring shaped machine. You will be connected up to an ECG monitor, a Blood Pressure monitor and an Oxygen Saturation monitor and you will be given oxygen through a nasal prongs.
At this point you may be given a light sedation before the procedure begins.
A grid will be placed over the area to be scanned and planning scans carried out. It is important that you lie very still at all times during the procedure. Once the planning scans are complete, the Consultant Radiologist reviews the images and pinpoints the location to be biopsied. The Consultant Radiologist will mark this location with a skin marker on your skin.
The skin will be cleaned using an antiseptic solution and some local anaesthetic may be given in the area that the biopsy is to be taken. Once the skin is numb, the Consultant Radiologist will begin the procedure. The Consultant Radiologist will insert a needle into the area to be biopsied to take a sample of the cells – you may feel a slight pressure from the needle.
Once the biopsy is taken, a final scan is carried out, the needle is removed and a sterile dressing is applied to the area.
The procedure will take between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the location where the procedure needs to be carried out.

Once the CT scan is complete, the team will assist you off the table and onto your bed. You will be monitored for a time in the Radiology Recovery room before returning to the ward or day unit.
You may need an X-ray depending on the area that was biopsied. This usually happens 1-2 hours after the procedure to ensure there have been no complications. This will be reviewed by the Consultant Radiologist.
You will be given instructions by the team as to what to expect after the procedure. Advice will be given regarding pain relief, possible complications, what to do in the case of complications, wound care etc.
The Consultant Radiologist will send the Radiology report to your referring doctor and the Medical Laboratory team will send on the laboratory report to your referring doctor once the tissue sample has been analysed.