How does an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy work?

How does an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy work?

Kenneth W. Chin (M.D., F.A.C.R.) gives expert video advice on: What are the risks involved with a breast biopsy?; How can I prepare for a breast biopsy?; How does an X ray-guided breast biopsy work? and more...

When an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is performed an ultrasound transducer or a handheld device which allows us to see an area that's abnormal in the breast is then visualized, and then a needle is placed through the skin directly into the area of abnormality while we are watching the needle enter the abnormality. This gives us a great deal of control. We then obtain piece of tissue with special automated needles that allow us to pull tissue into the needle and remove appropriate amounts of suspicious material.