Having CT guided abdominal or pelvic biopsy (easy read)

Patient lying on a CT scanner table with two medical professionals standing nearby.

This page gives you information about having a CT guided abdominal or pelvic biopsy.

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A diagram of a human skeleton, with the pelvis highlighted in red

An abdominal or pelvic biopsy is where a small sample is taken from in your tummy (your abdomen) or your pelvis which is around your hip area.

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A speech bubble containing a question mark.

Why do I need a biopsy?

You need a biopsy because something that was not normal was found in your tummy or pelvic area during another scan. Taking a sample will help us know how to treat you.

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Two men, one in a white shirt and one in a blue fleece jacket, having a friendly conversation.

Getting ready for your biopsy

Before your biopsy you will talk to health staff about what will happen.

This might be an appointment or on the phone. You will need to tell us about any medication you take.

If you have medication to thin your blood you might have to stop taking them before your bone biopsy.

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A healthcare professional drawing blood from a patient's arm using a syringe.

We will tell you if you need to stop your medication.

You might have a blood test before your biopsy.

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Sandwich with red cross and clock showing 6 hours

Please do not eat anything for 6 hours before your appointment time.

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Woman in an orange dress in a wheelchair raising a glass and smiling, with a clock showing a shaded area between 12 and 2, indicating a 2 hour time span.

You can drink water until 2 hours before your appointment time.

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A nurse assists a smiling patient with her hospital gown.

On the day of your biopsy

You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. Most people go home the same day, but you might have to stay overnight.

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Person in a grey hoodie packing clothes into a blue duffel bag.

Bring things for overnight with you just in case.

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Woman opening the driver's side door of a small red car.

You will not be able to drive after your biopsy. You will need to arrange to have someone pick you up.

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What happens during the biopsy?

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A syringe filled with orange liquid and a needle.

You will be asked to lie on the bed.

A scan will help us decide where to do your biopsy.

We will clean your skin where we are going to do the biopsy.

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Close-up of an arm with a bandage and a rolled-up shirt sleeve.

We will give you an injection to make the area numb.

We will make a small cut in your skin.

A biopsy needle will be used to go into the area for the sample. The scanner helps us see that we are in the right place.

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A nurse prepares a patient for a CT scan.

You will need to lie still.

You might have to hold your breath.

You might feel a bit uncomfortable when we take the samples.

We will put a dressing on the cut we made.

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Circular timer showing 30 minutes and 60 minutes with grey and pink segments.

It will take about 30 to 60 minutes.

You will be awake.

You can tell the health staff if you are uncomfortable.

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A person in a striped shirt thinking with a checkmark and an 'X' in a thought bubble.

What are the risks?

Most people go home 4 hours after the biopsy.

Things do not go wrong very often.

Things that might happen depend on where the biopsy was taken from.

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A close-up photo of a hand and wrist with a significant dark purple and red bruise.

There might be pain and bruises which should go away after a few days. You can take paracetamol.

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A man in a blue shirt and glasses clutching his stomach in discomfort.

There could be a blood clot called a haematoma which might cause some swelling and pain. You can use an ice pack and take paracetamol to help with this.

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An older man with a high fever, indicated by a red thermometer, and a diagram of his circulatory system.

There could be an infection which makes the wound red and you feel sweaty. This doesn’t happen very often.

Do not ignore this, call the Radiology Nurses for advice or NHS111.

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Patient lying in a hospital bed with a healthcare professional standing behind.

There is a small risk things like blood vessels or nerves near the biopsy can be damaged. If this happens you will stay in hospital to be cared for.

It is very rare but sometimes there can be severe bleeding. If this happens you will stay in hospital to be cared for.

You might need another biopsy if we do not get enough to find out what is going on.

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A healthcare professional measuring a patient's blood pressure using a cuff and stethoscope.

What happens after the biopsy?

You will be looked after by health staff who will check things like your blood pressure and pulse. The health staff will tell you when you can move around.

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