Biopsy Services

A biopsy is the removal of tissue from any part of the body in order to examine it for disease. For many types of cancer, a biopsy is the main way that doctors accurately diagnose its presence. Mid-Michigan Radiology Associates provides an array of biopsy services that provide diagnosis of disease so that a treatment plan can be put in place.

Mid-Michigan Radiology Associates provides biopsy services for:

• Thyroid – Used to find the cause of a nodule in the thyroid gland. This is typically performed using a needle with ultrasound guidance.
• Breast – Determines whether a lump in the breast is cancerous or benign. This can be performed a number of ways: Stereotactic (mammographically-guided), Ultrasound-guided, MRI-guided.
• Liver – Diagnoses diseases of the liver such as cancer, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis. These are typically performed by placing a needle into the liver through the skin under ultrasound or CT guidance, to remove a small amount of liver tissue for examination.
• Kidney –Also known as a renal biopsy, this is used to examine the condition of a kidney experiencing kidney failure, kidney inflammation, or a suspected tumor. Kidney biopsies are performed via image guidance (ultrasound or CT) that uses a needle to remove a small sample of the tissue for examination.

Types of BiopsY GUIDANCES

• CT-guided biopsy – Patients rest in a CT-scanner while the doctor uses the scanner’s image to help guide the exact position of the needle in the targeted tissue.
• Ultrasound-guided biopsy – Using an ultrasound scanner, a doctor directs a needle into the targeted tissue.
• MRI-guided - Magnetic resonance imaging is used to help guide the radiologist’s instruments to the site of the targeted tissue.
• X-Ray-guided - X-ray technology is used to help guide the radiologist’s biopsy equipment to the site of the targeted tissue.