: CT-Guided Soft Tissue Biopsy
: A CT-guided soft tissue biopsy is a procedure in which a doctor uses computed tomography (CT) imaging to guide a needle into an abnormal area of soft tissue to collect a small sample for laboratory testing. The sample is examined to help determine what the tissue abnormality is.
[": A CT-guided soft tissue biopsy uses CT images to help your doctor safely sample an area of soft tissue so it can be analyzed in the lab."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 89959-1
- Short code
- CT Guided Soft tiss Bx
- Synonyms
- CT Guided Soft tiss Bx
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- ct
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What This Procedure Is
: A CT-guided soft tissue biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure for sampling tissue from muscles, fat, connective tissue, or other soft tissues that appear abnormal on imaging. CT (computed tomography) provides detailed cross-sectional pictures that help the doctor see the target area and nearby structures in real time. This guidance helps the needle reach the right spot while avoiding important blood vessels, nerves, and organs.
: Why It May Be Recommended
: Your doctor may recommend this procedure when imaging shows a lump, mass, or other abnormality in soft tissue and more information is needed to understand what it is. A biopsy can help tell the difference between benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) growths, identify infections or inflammation, or evaluate tissue after an injury. The results help guide decisions about whether monitoring, treatment, or further testing is needed.
: How the Procedure Is Usually Done
: You may be asked to change into a gown and lie on a CT table. The care team will use a short CT scan to locate the area and plan the safest path for the needle. The skin is cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic, and the doctor inserts a thin needle into the target area, checking position with additional CT images as needed. A small tissue sample is collected and sent to the laboratory. The procedure often takes less time than a surgery and may be done on an outpatient basis.
: What to Expect and How to Prepare
: Preparation varies by location and your health history. You may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for several hours beforehand, and you should tell your care team about medications that affect bleeding, such as blood thinners, as well as any allergies, especially to numbing medicine or contrast dye. Afterward, you may have pressure applied to the site and be observed for a short time. Mild soreness or small bruising is common; contact your care team if you notice worsening pain, swelling, bleeding, or fever.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Clinically, CT-guided soft tissue biopsy is used to obtain a tissue diagnosis when imaging findings are indeterminate or when confirming the nature of a soft tissue abnormality would change management. Laboratory evaluation of the sample may include microscopic examination by a pathologist and, when appropriate, special stains, cultures, or molecular tests. The procedure is generally considered lower risk than open surgical biopsy, though as with any needle procedure there are small risks such as bleeding, infection, or injury to nearby structures. Results should be interpreted by your care team in the context of your symptoms, imaging, and overall health.
Short name
: NONE
Frequently asked questions
: Will I be awake during a CT-guided soft tissue biopsy?
: How soon will I get my biopsy results?
: What are the main risks of this procedure?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy