Breast Imaging

During the biopsy, you will sit in a special chair. The technologist will position your breast similar to a mammogram. The Radiologist will use a local anesthetic to numb the biopsy area. A small incision will be made, and a vacuum-assisted needle will advance into the breast to the site of abnormality.

We will take four to six samples of the abnormality and place a tiny ceramic marker, about the size of a comma, at the site when we are finished. Pressure is held on the breast tissue to stop any bleeding that occurs, and a steri-strip will close the incision site without sutures. This procedure will take approximately one hour from the time you arrive to finish.

We ask you to minimize activities for about 24 hours after the biopsy - no heavy lifting or arm movement.

• Have 1-2 small ice packs in your freezer prior to your biopsy.

• Most prescribed medications can be taken the morning of the breast biopsy. You will be asked to discontinue the use of any blood thinners including aspirin and aspirin-like products (such as Bayer and Excedrin) prior to your biopsy.  

• You will be able to drive to and from McFarland Clinic on the day of your biopsy. Family members or friends may accompany you on your visit, but they are not allowed in the biopsy room.

• Please wear a tight-fitting bra. This will help with the compression bandage placed on your incision site and will hold in place the ice pack that we send home with you.

• Wear comfortable, two-piece clothing. Avoid wearing light-colored clothing.

• Eat a light breakfast/snack before the procedure.

• If you have questions or concerns before the day of your biopsy, please call the Imaging Department at McFarland Clinic: 515-239-4436

Ultrasound guided breast biopsies are an outpatient procedure performed by the radiologist. No general anesthetic is required–only local anesthetic within the breast tissue. A small incision is made into the skin, and the biopsy needle is directed to the lesion with ultrasound guidance. Biopsy samples are obtained, and a biopsy clip is placed to identify the site of biopsy. Pressure is held at the biopsy site until any bleeding is stopped. A steri strip will close the incision site without sutures. A light compression mammogram is taken to identify the clip placement for future mammogram reference. The tissue samples are evaluated by the pathologist, and a report is sent to your doctor. This procedure will take approximately one hour from the time you arrive to finish.

We ask you to minimize activities for about 24 hours after the biopsy - no heavy lifting or arm movement.

• Have 1-2 small ice packs in your freezer prior to your biopsy.

• Most prescribed medications can be taken the morning of the breast biopsy. You will be asked to discontinue the use of any blood thinners including aspirin and aspirin-like products (such as Bayer and Excedrin) prior to your biopsy. 

• You will be able to drive to and from McFarland Clinic on the day of your biopsy. Family members or friends may accompany you on your visit, but they are not allowed in the biopsy room.

• Please wear a tight-fitting bra. This will help with the compression bandage placed on your incision site and will hold in place the ice pack that we send home with you.

• Wear comfortable, two-piece clothing. Avoid wearing light-colored clothing.

• Eat a light breakfast/snack before the procedure.

• If you have questions or concerns before the day of your biopsy, please call the Ames McFarland Clinic: 515-239-4436

No special preparation is necessary for a breast MRI. The exam will take 30 to 45 minutes to complete. An IV will be started before the exam. You will lie on your abdomen for the exam, and your arms can either be above your head or by your sides depending on which is more comfortable for you. Towards the end of the exam, a gadolinium-based contrast agent will be injected into the IV to assist in the identification of any abnormalities.

If you are claustrophobic, you may want to speak with your provider about a sedative prior to the test. If you take a sedative, you will be required to have a driver with you or have other travel arrangements made ahead of time.

Once the exam is complete, you will be free to leave, and the results will be sent to the ordering provider.

Insurance companies typically only cover a diagnostic breast MRI for individuals at high risk of breast cancer (this is based on family history, genetic markers, and other risk factors for the development of breast cancer.

There is no special prep for this 15-20 minute exam. An IV will be started prior to the study. While images are acquired, you will be lying on your abdomen with your arms at your side or above your head and contrast material will be administered through your IV. The Radiologist will interpret your images and a report will be given to your ordering provider.

Abbreviated Breast MRI exams are submitted to insurance. Your financial responsibility will depend on your coverage and benefits. If you have questions about your coverage for this exam, please contact your insurance provider and provide them with CPT code 77049-52 and diagnosis code R92.2.