Real-time visualisation ensures the sampling needle can be precisely directed into the target structure while avoiding adjacent vessels and vital tissues. This significantly improves diagnostic yield and reduces complication risk compared with blind sampling techniques.
Common ultrasound-guided procedures include:
- Liver aspirates and biopsies
- Splenic aspirates
- Sampling of abdominal or peripheral lymph nodes
- Fine needle aspiration of abdominal masses
- Sampling of pancreatic or gastrointestinal lesions where safe to perform
- Fluid sampling and drainage procedures
Most procedures can be carried out with light sedation, and samples are submitted for cytology or histopathology depending on the clinical indication.
