If a child has a big liver or abnormally functioning kidneys or a mass, and a sample of the tissue from an organ or mass is needed for microscopic evaluation, the Radiology Department may be involved in planning or performing the biopsy.

Imaging is used to localise the area from which a sample of tissue will be taken with a special needle. This type of procedure is very specific to the child and to the child’s problem. Most children have general anaesthesia for these procedures, and there is close collaboration between the radiologist, the clinician and the pathologist who looks at the tissue samples after the biopsy.

Preparation
Preparation is related to the type of sedation or anaesthesia that is required for the procedure.