Your Experience

How is FNA Performed?

• Patients are required to do nothing special in advance of their FNA procedure. There are no dietary restrictions. You can eat and drink normally prior to the procedure. Let your doctor know if you are taking any medications, so he or she can decide if they will interfere with the procedure.
• During the FNA, patients are awake and alert. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area into which the needle is inserted.
• When the affected area is located, ultrasound images are used to guide the needle to the correct location. 
• Once the needle is inserted into the affected area, a small amount of tissue is removed. Fine needle biopsy is less invasive than surgical biopsies.
• Multiple samples will be collected, each taking approximately 10 to 30 seconds, which reduces the chance that an additional procedure will be needed. Once removed, the sample is examined under the microscope. The entire procedure lasts approximately 20 minutes.
• The doctor will confirm the specimen is adequate and likely provide a preliminary impression, although additional testing is performed to confirm the initial findings. During the review, the doctor will also discuss post-biopsy instructions. Your entire appointment will typically last about an hour.
• Most patients who undergo FNA are able to return to normal activities immediately. The doctor might recommend using an over-the-counter pain reliever to deal with any mild discomfort from bruising that occurs after the procedure.

DCL Pathology is one of the leading providers of FNA and ultrasound-guided biopsy. We provide a comfortable environment for patients to undergo testing. If you have received a referral from your doctor or you are looking for more information about this procedure, please contact us.