Mammotome biopsy

Why should a biopsy be done?

This procedure should be done when the lesion or calcifications are not visible on ultrasound and we still want to obtain a tissue sample of them.

Course of the examination

A mammotome biopsy takes about 30-40 minutes.

• In the changing room or examination room, you can change your clothes. You do not wear clothes on the upper body (bra and undershirt must also be off).
• You take a seat in an examination chair and the nurse or medical imaging technician will help you into a comfortable sitting position.
• The breast is compressed by a mammography device, but under less pressure than in a traditional mammogram. We take pictures of the breast.
• From these pictures, the radiologist knows where in the breast the biopsy should be done.
• The radiologist numbs the skin and the pathway to the biopsy site. Through a small incision in the skin, the radiologist will then remove several pieces of tissue.
• Next, we insert a clip into the breast through the same biopsy needle. In case of malignancy, this is how we find the exact location of the malignant tissue during surgery. This clip is safe and you will not feel it.
• The tissue pieces from the biopsy go, in preservative fluid, to the lab for microscopic examination.
• The anatomic pathologist examines the pieces of tissue under the microscope

Preparation

The radiology department must have all your breast imaging data before the examination is scheduled. If these examinations were not done in our hospital, you must provide the image codes from your last breast examinations to our service.

The radiologist makes a first interpretation of the images during the examination. After the final interpretation, he sends a report to the doctor who requested the examination. Only this doctor can discuss the results with you.

Important things that you should report for an NMR examination:

• that you have a pacemaker or an artificial valve of the heart.
• that you have undergone a major surgery.
• that you have had surgery on the eye or brain.
• that you are pregnant.

In all these cases, you'll notify the doctor or radiology nurse before the examination starts.

What to watch out for when you are at home.

After the biopsy, you may go home and resume normal activities. Please avoid strenuous efforts, housework and sports for the first 24 hours after this biopsy to prevent post-bleeding.

In case of pain, you may take painkillers, preferably paracetamol: e.g. Dafalgan, Perdolan, Panadol,....

Blue discoloration of the skin, slight swelling and hardening is possible at the place of the biopsy. If the swelling and pain are very pronounced and you are concerned, please feel free to contact the radiology department at 011 69 92 76 or 011 69 92 75 (during office hours) or your attending doctor.

This examination is available by appointment only. Please always bring your identity card, your doctor's prescription and any previous radiological examinations.
 

Aftercare

The nurse or medical imaging technician will push on the biopsy place for about ten minutes after the examination to prevent bleeding.

Small band aids (Steristrips) close the incision in the skin. These strips should remain in place for three days. It is best to avoid any direct contact with water on the strips for three days.

What happens after the mammotome biopsy?

The result of the microscopy is known about three working days after the biopsy. The anatomic pathologist will send a report of this examination to your attending doctor, as well as to your GP (if he or she is not the referring doctor). During the consultation with your attending or referring doctor, you will hear the results and, if necessary, your doctor will discuss a proposal for treatment.