A needle biopsy is performed when it is necessary to examine a tissue sample under a microscope to more precisely determine what kind of problem may be present. Biopsies may be performed on skin to determine if a growth is benign or malignant (noncancerous or cancerous), on muscle to determine if some kind of disease or inflammation is present, on a breast mass, or on virtually any organ to determine the cause of a problem. Needle biopsies do not always give a definite answer, so an open or excisional biopsy is sometimes required. This is especially true with thyroid nodules. Depending on the type of biopsy, it may take anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes.

Procedure:
 
• The skin is prepared by thorough cleansing, a local anesthetic (numbing medication) is injected and then a special biopsy needle is introduced.
• Several passes are sometimes performed in order to get an adequate sample of tissue.
• Other than a brief stinging from the anesthetic, the procedure is usually painless.

Risks:

• As with any invasive procedure, there is a small risk of bleeding or infection.
• Sometimes a nerve may be hit, but other than a brief, sharp pain, no permanent harm is usually done


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