Needless needle?

Yesterday was supposed to be the day for a needle biopsy of a spot on my liver that was labeled suspicious in my latest CT scan. Instead, the doctor who was going to do the biopsy had doubts about whether the biopsy was needed and opted for more testing.

Tom and I wondered what was taking so long for the CT-guided needle biopsy after we arrived at the hospital and I was prepped for the procedure. When things finally got underway, I was taken for an ultrasound instead of a CT scan. The technician explained the doctor wanted to see if the spot was visible in the ultrasound, which might be used to guide his needle instead of the scanner. A short while later, she ushered in the doctor and they noted the spot was not showing up on the ultrasound.

That didn't mean definitively that the spot was no longer there, the doctor explained, but it opened up the possibility that whatever had been detected on the earlier scan might not be a problem. The doctor explained that the spot was very close to my heart, so it would be tricky to biopsy and must be done very carefully. He wanted to be sure a biopsy is really needed before poking around in that area.

Next up will be an MRI to take a better look. Then if a biopsy is still needed, it will likely be done with the doctor inserting a tiny camera to look at the area.

Yesterday's outcome was not full vindication for the suspicious spot, but it felt like prayers for a good outcome have been heard.