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How do I prepare for my Breast Biopsy?
- It is convenient to wear a two piece outfit.
- Do not use deodorant, perfume, powder or cream in the breast or underarm area.
- Do not take aspirin or blood thinners a minimum of 48 hours prior to the biopsy.
How does Breast Biopsy work?
Ultrasonography uses sound waves at very high frequency to image internal structures, including those deep within the body. Either pulsed or continuous sound waves are directed at the area of interest using a hand-held device called a transducer. The transducer also receives echoes of the sound waves in a pattern that reflects the outlines of the internal structure mass. The transducer changes electrical signals into ultrasound waves and converts the reflected sound waves back to electrical energy. Unlike radiological procedures, the ultrasound method requires no exposure to x-rays.
When ultrasound is chosen to guide a breast biopsy, one of the biopsy instruments used is a vacuum assisted device (VAD). Nodules of tissue less than about an inch in size can be totally removed using this equipment. These systems use vacuum pressure to pull tissue into a needle and remove it without having to withdraw the probe after each sampling as is necessary when the core needle method is used. Biopsies are obtained in an orderly manner by rotating the needle, ensuring that the entire region of interest will be sampled.
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