Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures
Ultrasound-guided aspirates and biopsies
Ultrasounds can be used to assist in the aspiration and biopsy of lesions, fluid, or tumors found during the course of an ultrasound. It is less invasive and sometimes a better alternative than exploratory surgery or scope procedures. It can be used to investigate:
- Liver – jaundice, unexplained raised liver enzymes, suspected congenital portosystemic shunts, chronic liver disease, and mass lesions
- Kidney – acute or chronic nephritis, protein-losing nephropathy, and mass lesions
- Intestines – mass lesions
- Thorax – mass lesions of the chest wall, mediastinum, or lung
- Lymph Nodes – lymphadenopathy
- Prostate – masses