Instructions and Information for Procedures / Tests
Please Note - What you see here is for information purposes only. While physicians have been consulted on this information, your specific condition may require additional instructions. ALWAYS consult with your physician to obtain specific information about the procedure or the instructions for your procedure.
See All Tests and Treatments
Procedure Name: Stereotactic Biopsy
Department Responsible for performing Procedure:
Women's Diagnostic Center
Department Contact Information:
(770) 909-2049
For scheduling: (770) 991-8144
Where to Report:
Please enter through the Women's Life Center Entrance and take the elevator to the Terrace Level. Plan to arrive one hour before your scheduled appointment. Even if you have recently been hospitalized, you must register.
What to Bring:
- Physician Order
- Any forms from your physician relating to this visit
- Your insurance / Medicaid / Medicare card
- Driver's License / Photo Identification
- All of your medications OR a listing of all medications along with the dose, how often you take it, and the last time you took it
- A list of all of your allergies
- Please check with your insurance carrier for any authorization requirements.
- Any films or reports from relevant studies not performed at Southern Regional.
Patient Instructions:
- Bring your previous studies that have been done at other facilities.
- Please read the Procedure Information for additional instructions and information.
- Please follow any other specific instructions given to you by your doctor.
- Do not eat or drink 4 hours prior to biopsy.
Procedure Information:
A biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed. A pathologist examines the sample under a microscope to look for abnormal cells, such as cancer. During a stereotactic biopsy, 3-dimensional x-rays are used to find the exact location of the abnormality.
You must remove all clothing and jewelry from the waist up and wear a gown. You will be positioned on an examining table with your breast in an opening in the table. An x-ray machine takes 3-dimensional pictures of the breast. When the area of abnormality is found, the skin is numbed using a local anesthetic. Then the physician places a needle into the center of the suspicious area. One or more tissue samples are collected and the needle is removed.
Additional Information:
If patient arrives before 7am, enter through outpatient registration and register with main admissions. You will be directed to the Women's Life Center.