CT-guided biopsies, punctures, drainages and injections

The CT scanner can be used to guide a needle very precisely to an area of the body that is difficult to reach. The procedure is performed by the radiologist, usually under local anaesthetic, checking the position of the needle on the images at each step. Depending on the request, it may be a biopsy (taking a small sample of a lesion for analysis), a liver puncture, drainage of an abscess or fluid collection (placing a small drain), an injection into a joint (an anti-inflammatory medicine), localisation before an operation (to guide the surgeon to a small lesion), or a percutaneous nephrostomy (placing a drain into the kidney through the skin, when urine can no longer drain). The procedure is planned with the doctor who requests it: clotting tests, possible adjustment of treatments, information on benefits and risks. Monitoring is planned after the procedure.