Diagnostic exam of tissue: needle biopsy

At Lutheran General Hospital, needle biopsies are performed by an interventional radiologist to identify the nature of an unusual mass in the body.  In this procedure, the radiologist inserts a small needle, guided by x-ray or other imaging techniques, to the abnormal tissue.  A sample is removed for examination under a microscope by a pathologist.

Organs of the body that are often biopsied include the thyroid gland, liver, lung, kidney, lymph nodes, and bone.

I want to learn more about needle biopsies.