Ultrasound guided biopsy, FNAC, pigtail insertion, ascitic or pleural fluid drainage

Ultrasound gives real-time visualization of the needle or biopsy gun and hence is a preferred modality for procedures like biopsy and FNAC of lesions which are accessible and visualized on ultrasound.

Pigtail insertion into abscesses (infected collections), ascitic or pleural fluid drainage (aspiration of abnormal accumulation of fluid from abdomen or chest respectively) can also be done under ultrasound guidance.

These are safe procedures in experienced hands and are done using local anesthesia. These are usually done on an out-patient basis, and hospital stay is not required for these procedures, per se, unless needed for general patient condition/co-morbidities.

Patient is usually observed in the hospital after the procedure for a certain period and can return on the same day.

A pre-procedure evaluation is usually done to assess the lesion/abscess to be targeted and plan the procedure. This is done by detailed evaluation of patient's previous imaging and blood investigations.

Hence, it is required that the patients carry their investigations (with images/scans) with them for the assessment. Few blood investigations may be required to be done pre-intervention, depending on the type of procedure.