Ultrasound Guided Interventions in India

US Guided Breast Interventions

Ultrasound guided procedures like core biopsy, wire localization, clip placement are routinely performed with high accuracy rates.

USG Guided VABB

In addition to USG guided core biopsy, wire, and clip placement, we also perform Vacuum Assisted Breast Biopsy (VABB).

What is an Ultrasound Guided Vacuum Assisted Biopsy?

An ultrasound guided vacuum assisted biopsy removes pieces of tissue from an abnormality shown on ultrasound. It is done for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The vacuum assisted biopsy needle is larger than a standard biopsy needle and has gentle suction applied to it, allowing removal of more tissue than a standard biopsy.

What are the Benefits of Having the Procedure?

Your doctor or a member of the breast imaging team will discuss the benefits with you prior to undertaking the procedure. An abnormality has shown on your breast ultrasound scan. You may have already had a biopsy of this abnormality previously. A vacuum assisted biopsy is used to take slightly larger tissue samples than you may previously have had taken. This can help to find out what the abnormality is. Ultrasound is used to accurately locate the abnormality.

What are the Risks of the Procedure?

A small amount of bleeding may occur at the biopsy site, and bruising to the breast is common. Sometimes the bruise may make your breast feel lumpy. X-rays (mammograms) may be required following the procedure. There are some risks involved with the use of X-rays. The overriding concern of your doctor and radiology team is to ensure that when radiation is used, the benefits outweigh any small risk involved.

If you are on any blood thinning medication, please contact the Breast Imaging Department straight away. Infection at the biopsy site is rare but a possibility.

What Will I Need to Do Before the Procedure?

• Please bring with you a list of your medication (we will need to know about certain medications before this procedure).
• The specialist will also check some details with you, including certain medications.
• You will be asked to remove the clothing from the top half of your body, including your bra, and wear a hospital gown. It is easier to wear a skirt or trousers instead of a dress for your appointment. You are welcome to bring your own dressing gown to the appointment.
• The specialist undertaking the procedure (or someone trained to take consent) will explain the procedure to you and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
• We must seek your consent for any procedure or treatment beforehand. The specialist undertaking the procedure (or a professional trained to take consent) will explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives, where relevant, before they ask for your consent. If you are unsure about any aspect of the proposed procedure or treatment, please do not hesitate to ask for more information.

What Will Happen During the Procedure?

• You will be taken into the ultrasound room and asked to lie down on the couch with your hand behind your head.
• The specialist undertaking the procedure will ask you to open the hospital gown, put some gel onto your skin, and use the ultrasound probe to find the abnormality that needs to be sampled.
• A local anesthetic will be given by injection through the skin into the breast to numb the area around where the tissue needs to be sampled. The specialist will ensure that the area is numb before proceeding.
• A small cut is made in the skin.
• The vacuum assisted biopsy needle is placed into the breast at the abnormality site, seen on the ultrasound scan.
• Once in position, the needle stays in your breast while the abnormality is sampled.
• Small amounts of tissue are cut and sucked away using the needle, and this is repeated until the biopsy is completed.
• During this time, you will hear a “whirring” noise.
• The specialist undertaking the procedure will use the ultrasound to monitor the procedure.
• Despite taking several samples of tissue, there will be only one visible cut on the skin surface unless we have told you that we would like to perform a second procedure.
• The specialist may insert a marker clip following the procedure. If this is required, then the specialist will discuss this with you and give you a separate patient information leaflet.
• You can choose to stop the procedure at any point during the procedure, but this may mean that the abnormality may not be adequately sampled.

What Will Happen After the Procedure?

• A member of staff will press on the area of the breast where the biopsy was taken to help stop bleeding and minimize bruising. This may take up to 15 minutes.
• A small dressing will be applied to the site of the biopsy, which may or may not include the use of a steri-strip (wound closure strip).
• You may be asked to stay in the department after the procedure for 30 minutes to check for any further bleeding.
• In some cases, mammograms (X-rays of the breast) may be required following the procedure; the specialist will explain this if it is required.
• You will then be able to get dressed.
• Arrangements will be made as to how you will get the results of the biopsy.

What is the Aftercare Advice?

Most women feel some discomfort and experience bruising to the breast following the procedure. If your breasts feel tender following the procedure, please take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol, as per the instructions on the packet. Avoid products containing aspirin. It is recommended to avoid heavy lifting for 24 hours following the procedure. Lifting small babies, less than one year old, is not considered heavy lifting. The dressing can be removed after 24 hours; you do not need to reapply another dressing. Keep the site clean and dry. Your bra (including underwired) can be worn as normal following the procedure to provide support for the breast.

Can I Go Back to Work?

Yes, you can; however, it is recommended to avoid heavy lifting activities for 24 hours. Carrying small babies, less than a year old, is not considered heavy lifting. In our experience, discomfort felt post-procedure is minor and does not impact normal routine activities such as driving.

Dr. Jyoti Arora is one of the best radiologists in South Delhi, specializing in ultrasound-guided interventions, including USG Guided Vacuum Assisted Biopsy (VABB). With expertise in precise diagnostic procedures, Dr. Jyoti Arora is known for delivering advanced care and accurate results.