What is percutaneous biopsy?
Percutaneous biopsy is a medical procedure in which the needle is inserted through the skin to collect a sample of interest. The term "percutaneous" literally means "through the skin", and this term is used specifically to indicate a needle biopsy, rather than open surgical biopsy in which the patient is cut to detect the area of interest to collect the sample. Percutaneous biopsy are much less invasive and are also faster than traditional surgical biopsy, with a shortened healing time and less risk of complications.
To obtain a sample in percutaneous biopsy, several different techniques can be used. In a core biopsy, the needle is inserted and used to pull out a piece of soft tissue or bone. In the biopsy of fine aspiration (FNA), a smaller needle is inserted and the syringe is used to create a vacuum and sucks the sample into the needle. Larger biopsy needles can be used in a vacuum assisted biopsy, in which a larger sample or even small growth can be removed using a vacuum cleaner.
If a biopsy is used to take over tangible growth sample, percutaneous biopsy will include palpation of the area for identifying and insulation of the area of interest, followed by a careful insertion of the needle to collect the sample. In cases where growth is more difficult to identify, ultrasound can be used to guide a biopsy needle and ensure that it ends up in the right place.
The main disadvantage of percutaneous biopsy is that it is less accurate than open surgical biopsy, because it is difficult to see exactly where the needle is. The choice of percutaneous biopsy rather than open surgical biopsy also eliminates the chance to see the surroundings to seek signs of tissue death, other growth and symptoms of other problems, which means that sometimes the severity is underestimated. It can also make it more difficult to pull the whole growth, a technique that is sometimes used when the problem looks small, with the surgeon removes problematic tissue and sending to biopsy to confirm that it was a problemém, and check the edges of the tissue to make sure that malignant growth has been fully erased.
Percutaneous biopsy is often a possibility to take a biopsy, and the doctor may discuss various options along with their advantages and disadvantages. In some cases, open surgical biopsy may need to be performed for various reasons, but in other cases the physician may be willing to be flexible to solve the patient concerns.