Breast Cyst Aspiration
What is a breast cyst aspiration?
A cyst aspiration with imaging guidance allows the radiologist to remove the fluid from one or more breast cysts.
What to do prior to your cyst aspiration
Please pre-register online or by telephone before your scheduled appointment by calling 261-3151. If you register the day of your appointment, please
arrive 15 minutes early.
There are no diet restrictions; eat and drink as usual. Take your usual medications on the day of your appointment. A two-piece outfit will
be more comfortable. Please wear a bra.
What to expect during the procedure
Your skin will be cleaned with betadine before the radiologist administers lidocaine, a local anesthetic that will make a small area numb.
No incision is necessary for a cyst aspiration. A small needle will be introduced into the cyst and the fluid aspirated into a syringe. Most
women experience minimal discomfort with the injection of the local anesthetic, with no additional pain. If you experience continued
pain, you should inform the radiologist, who will administer additional anesthetic. If additional cysts are to be aspirated, the procedure will
be repeated for each aspiration.
What happens after the procedure
Take a non-aspirin pain reliever like Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, etc., if you experience any discomfort.
Note: You may notice some bruising of the puncture site, which should go away in about a week.
Results and Follow-up
Your healthcare provider should contact you with the results of your breast cyst aspiration.
Questions
Contact your clinician’s office if you have any questions. You may also contact the Providence Imaging Center nurse at 261-3607.
If you are having a cyst aspiration with possible breast biopsy, please
follow the additional instructions below.
For Patients Whose Procedure May Become An Imaging Guided Breast Biopsy
Aspirin and anticoagulants increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. If you take aspirin, we ask that you stop taking
it seven days prior to your breast cyst aspiration if possible. If you take an anticoagulant such as coumadin, heparin
or plavix, you should ask your doctor if you can stop the medication for a few days before your appointment. Herbal
substances that affect bleeding, such as Gingko biloba, should be stopped two weeks prior to your breast cyst aspiration.
What to expect during the biopsy procedure
The radiologist may take tissue samples, which will be sent to pathology for review. A pathology report will be sent to your healthcare
provider several days after the biopsy. Your healthcare provider will review the results with you.
What happens after the procedure
• Take a non-aspirin pain reliever like Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, etc., if you experience any discomfort. Avoid taking
aspirin for about 48 hours.
• The radiologist or technologist will apply pressure to the biopsy area for several minutes to stop any bleeding. Your
incision will be closed with a steri strip and a sterile dressing. You will be given a small ice pack to put in your bra
for a few hours to help prevent bruising.
• Please avoid heavy lifting for the next two days to further prevent bleeding or extended bruising.
Note: You may notice some bruising of the biopsy site, which should go away in about a week.
Questions
If you have questions about the procedure or results, call the Providence Imaging Center nurse at 261-3607.
