CT Scan Guided Biopsies What is CT? A CT Scan (also called CT, computerized tomography, or CAT Scan) is an x-ray technique that produces images, with the aid of a highly sophisticated computer, of your internal organs that are more detailed than those produced by conventional x-ray exams. Your doctor may recommend a CT Guided Biopsy to obtain specimens of tissues or organs. The CT Scanner aids in pinpointing the location of the desired tissue or organ for study, which allows the radiologist to accurately obtain the desired specimen for study. CT Scans can be performed even if you have a pacemaker or an internal defibrillator. If you are pregnant, or suspect you may be, your doctor may suggest postponing the CT Scan or choosing an alternative exam that does not involve radiation. Please notify the technologist if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant. When is a CT Biopsy Performed? Common CT guided biopsy procedures include biopsies of the lung, solid abdominal organs, and varying types of tissue. A biopsy is a sterile invasive procedure that allows a trained medical physician to obtain samples of a desired organ or tissue for further analysis. In the radiology department, biopsies are done on an outpatient surgery basis, which are performed by a Board Certified Interventional Radiologist. An Interventional Radiologist is a radiologist who has received advanced training in invasive procedures, such as biopsies. To Prepare for a CT Scan Guided Biopsy: Please dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, with no metallic objects near the area to be scanned. You may continue your normal activities up to 3 hours prior to your appointment time. At this point, you must discontinue eating and drinking, however, clear liquids can be consumed until your procedure. The patient must arrive in the Outpatient Care Unit 2 hours prior to the procedure for registration and pre-procedure care. What is the Procedure for a CT Biopsy? Upon arrival in the Outpatient Care Unit, an IV will be started and labs will be drawn. The patient is then brought to the CT Department and is prepped for the procedure by the CT Technologist and/or Patient Care Technician (PCT). The procedure will be thoroughly explained by the CT Technologist and questions will be addressed. Initial scans will be taken to determine the best manner and location to obtain the desired samples. Preparation for the procedure, set-up, and initial scans are often the longest part of the procedure. The Interventional Radiologist will begin the procedure by creating a sterile field in the area of the biopsy. Using the CT images as a guide, the interventional radiologist uses specialized needles to extract small amounts of cells/tissue to be evaluated by a Pathologist. After the procedure is completed, patients will remain in the Outpatient Care Unit for observation 4-6 hours after the procedure. This is to ensure that the healing process in the area of the biopsy has begun. When the patient is released to return home, a set of take home instructions will be given. Results A Pathologist will perform the analysis of your tissue samples. If you have questions about your results, please contact your physician. Results are usually available in 3-5 business days. Risk of CT CT Scan risks are similar to those of conventional x-ray. During the CT Scan, you are exposed to radiation. However, doctors and scientists believe that CT Scans provide valuable information that outweighs the associated risks. If you are concerned about the radiation exposures, contact your physician.