Home› Services› Image-Guided Biopsy
Interventional Service

Image-Guided Biopsy for Dogs & Cats

Minimally invasive tissue sampling under real-time imaging guidance. Our board-certified specialists use ultrasound and CT to precisely target masses, organs, and lymph nodes — providing diagnostic tissue samples with minimal risk and rapid recovery.

At a Glance

Guidance
Ultrasound-guided and CT-guided techniques
Procedure Types
Fine needle aspirate (FNA), Tru-Cut core biopsy, cavity fluid collection
Procedure Time
15–45 minutes depending on technique and target
Anesthesia
Light sedation to general anesthesia (varies by location and depth of target)
Read By
Board-certified veterinary radiologists (DACVR) and clinical pathologists
Locations
Round Rock TX • Spring TX • Sandy UT
What Is Image-Guided Biopsy

Precision Tissue Sampling Without Exploratory Surgery

Image-guided biopsy uses real-time ultrasound or CT imaging to guide a needle directly into a target lesion — a mass, an enlarged organ, a suspicious lymph node, or a fluid-filled cavity. This allows our specialists to obtain diagnostic tissue or fluid samples with pinpoint accuracy, eliminating the need for exploratory surgery in many cases.

We offer two primary techniques: fine needle aspirate (FNA), which uses a thin needle to collect individual cells for cytologic evaluation, and Tru-Cut core biopsy, which obtains a small tissue cylinder for histopathologic analysis. The choice depends on the clinical question, target location, and what information your veterinarian needs to guide treatment decisions.

Why Image Guidance Matters

Blind or palpation-guided biopsies risk missing the target or sampling non-representative tissue. Image guidance ensures the needle tip is positioned exactly where it needs to be — within the mass, not beside it. For deep abdominal lesions, retroperitoneal targets, or masses adjacent to major blood vessels, imaging guidance dramatically improves diagnostic yield while minimizing complications.

When Image-Guided Biopsy Is Recommended

Procedures We Perform

Image-guided biopsy is recommended whenever a tissue diagnosis is needed but surgery is not the first-line approach — whether due to the lesion’s location, the patient’s condition, or the need for staging before surgical planning.

Liver Biopsy

Diffuse liver disease, focal masses, and elevated liver enzymes

Learn more →

Splenic Mass FNA

Characterizing splenic masses before splenectomy decisions

Learn more →

Lymph Node Aspirate

Staging lymphoma, metastatic disease, and reactive lymphadenopathy

Learn more →

Abdominal Mass Biopsy

Unidentified abdominal masses requiring tissue diagnosis

Learn more →

Kidney Biopsy

Chronic kidney disease, renal masses, and protein-losing nephropathy

Learn more →

Lung Mass FNA

CT-guided sampling of pulmonary nodules and masses

Learn more →

Adrenal Biopsy

Differentiating adrenal adenoma from carcinoma

Learn more →

Body Cavity Fluid Collection

Abdominocentesis, thoracocentesis, pericardiocentesis

Learn more →
What to Expect

Your Pet’s Biopsy Procedure

Here’s exactly what happens during an image-guided biopsy at Sage Veterinary Imaging.

Imaging Assessment

Before any biopsy, we perform a complete imaging evaluation (ultrasound and/or CT) to identify all lesions, determine the safest needle path, and assess for complications like adjacent blood vessels or fluid pockets.

Patient Preparation

Your pet is sedated or placed under light anesthesia depending on the target depth and location. The biopsy site is clipped and aseptically prepared. Coagulation status is assessed for patients on blood thinners or with suspected bleeding disorders.

Guided Sampling

Under real-time ultrasound or CT guidance, the specialist advances the needle to the target and obtains the sample. For FNA, cells are immediately prepared on slides. For core biopsy, tissue cylinders are preserved in formalin for histopathology.

Recovery & Results

Your pet recovers from sedation (typically 30–60 minutes) and is monitored for any post-procedure complications. FNA cytology results are often available same-day through our digital cytology lab; core biopsy histopathology typically takes 3–5 business days.

Same-Day Cytology

When FNA samples are collected, our digital cytology laboratory can process and interpret slides the same day. This means your veterinarian may have a preliminary diagnosis before your pet even goes home — critical for time-sensitive cases like suspected lymphoma or hemangiosarcoma.

Why Sage

Why Choose Sage for Your Pet’s Biopsy

Board-certified veterinary radiologists (DACVR) — every biopsy is performed by a specialist trained in interventional imaging techniques
Real-time imaging guidance — ultrasound or CT visualization ensures the needle reaches the exact target, maximizing diagnostic yield
Same-day cytology results — our digital cytology lab processes FNA samples on-site for rapid turnaround
Minimally invasive — small needle puncture instead of surgical incision, with faster recovery and lower complication rates
Comprehensive pathology reports — cytology and histopathology results with specialist interpretation and treatment recommendations
Three convenient locations in Round Rock TX, Spring TX, and Sandy UT

Schedule Your Pet’s Biopsy

Contact the Sage Veterinary Imaging location nearest you to discuss your pet’s case and schedule an image-guided biopsy.

Sage
Round Rock, TX
512-688-9404
Sage
Spring, TX
281-205-4050
Sage
Sandy, UT
385-707-5361
Frequently Asked Questions

Image-Guided Biopsy FAQ

Yes. Image-guided biopsy is considerably safer than exploratory surgery, with lower complication rates, shorter recovery times, and less pain. The most common risk is minor bleeding at the biopsy site, which is usually self-limiting. Our specialists choose the safest needle path using imaging to avoid major blood vessels and other critical structures.
It depends on the target. Superficial masses and lymph nodes often only need light sedation. Deeper abdominal or thoracic targets typically require general anesthesia to ensure the patient remains still and the procedure is safe. Our team will discuss the anesthesia plan beforehand.
Fine needle aspirate (FNA) uses a thin needle to collect individual cells, which are evaluated by a cytopathologist. It’s quick, minimally invasive, and often diagnostic. Core biopsy (Tru-Cut) obtains a small cylinder of intact tissue, preserving tissue architecture for histopathologic analysis. Core biopsy provides more information but is slightly more invasive. Your specialist will recommend the appropriate technique based on the clinical question.
FNA cytology results are often available the same day when processed through our digital cytology lab. Core biopsy histopathology is sent to an external laboratory and typically takes 3–5 business days. Rush processing is available for urgent cases.
Most masses and organs are accessible with image-guided techniques. However, some locations (certain brain lesions, very small targets, or highly vascular masses) may require surgical biopsy instead. Our specialists will discuss the best approach after reviewing your pet’s imaging.
Most pets go home the same day and return to normal activity within 24 hours. You may notice a small shaved area at the biopsy site and mild soreness. We’ll provide specific post-procedure instructions, including any activity restrictions and signs to watch for. Serious complications are rare.
Related Services

Explore More Sage Services

Ultrasound

Ultrasound & Echo

 CT

CT Scan

 Cytology

Digital Cytology

Answers Without Exploratory Surgery

Sage Veterinary Imaging’s image-guided biopsy delivers precise tissue diagnoses with minimal risk. Same-day results. Board-certified specialists. The least invasive path to the answer your pet needs.