Kamran Ahrar • Sanjay Gupta
Editors

2014

Percutaneous needle biopsy has largely replaced more invasive surgical methods of tissue sampling. The first image-guided biopsies were performed with fluoroscopic guidance; however, the true era of percutaneous image-guided biopsy was ushered in with the advancement of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging technologies. Imaging guidance allows for precise targeting of lesions, resulting in high accuracy and low complication rates. Traditionally, biopsies were performed to evaluate newly discovered masses or mass-like lesions in order to establish an initial diagnosis of cancer or infection. Biopsies today, in addition to performing a diagnostic function, are commonly obtained for detecting recurrence of metastatic disease and for monitoring response to therapy.