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Radiology | Counties Manukau | Te Whatu Ora
Public Service, Radiology, Pregnancy Ultrasound
Biopsies
A biopsy involves a specially designed needle used to remove a small piece of tissue for examination under a microscope. The area being investigated will be numbed with a local anaesthetic before the tissue sample is taken.
What to expect
Liver, Kidney or Lung Biopsy
You will be sent a form and asked to have a blood test one week before your biopsy. On the day of your biopsy, you will be admitted to the Radiology Department for about 5 hours and the actual procedure will be carried out in the Ultrasound Department.
The biopsy only takes a few seconds, but you will be asked to remain resting on a bed in the Radiology Department for at least 4 hours. During this time, your blood pressure and pulse will be checked regularly.
You will be allowed to go home in the afternoon but arrange for someone else to drive you home. Do not plan to do anything too energetic for the next 2 days.
About one third of patients find they are a bit sore at the time of or soon after the biopsy and need some medication to help relieve the pain.
Thyroid Biopsy (Fine Needle Aspiration)
This procedure is carried out in the Ultrasound Department.
The biopsy only takes a few seconds, but you will be asked to stay in the Radiology department for about 20 minutes after the procedure.
Some patients are a bit sore at the time of the biopsy (aspiration) or soon afterwards and may need some Panadol to relieve the pain.
CT Guided Needle Biopsy
Before your biopsy appointment, you will be asked to have some blood tests at a laboratory. You will also be asked some questions about medicines you are taking and about any blood clotting problems that you may have. After the procedure is over, you may have to stay at the hospital for up to 2 hours. You should arrange for someone else to drive you home.
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