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Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy

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Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy

Abstract

In recent years, ultrasonography has become an essential component of most interventional radiology departments. Ultrasonography provides effective and efficient guidance for biopsy procedures. Needle-guidance systems can simplify biopsy procedures for radiologists with limited experience by enabling the radiologist to maintain the needle’s path within the ultrasound beam at all times. In this manner, the needle can be advanced on target with confidence. Experienced interventional radiologists can use the freehand technique that allows greater flexibility with respect to skin puncture and needle path, allowing for creativity in reaching difficult targets. The most important advantage of ultrasonography over computed tomography in image-guided biopsy is the ability to visualize the needle tip at all times during insertion and sampling process. Ultrasonography has limited use in guiding biopsies in obese patients, when lesions are very deep or when highly reflective surfaces (e.g., bone or gas-filled bowel) obscure the view of the lesion. This chapter outlines the equipment, advantages, disadvantages, applications, and techniques used in ultrasound-guided biopsies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1471, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Judy U. Ahrar MD

  2. Department of Interventional Radiology, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1471, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Kamran Ahrar MD, FSIR

Authors
  1. Judy U. Ahrar MD
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  2. Kamran Ahrar MD, FSIR
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamran Ahrar MD, FSIR .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Vascular & Interventional Radiol., University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Kamran Ahrar

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology Section of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Sanjay Gupta

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Ahrar, J.U., Ahrar, K. (2014). Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy. In: Ahrar, K., Gupta, S. (eds) Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8217-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8217-8_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8216-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8217-8

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