Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
Ultrasound-guided injections, aspirations and biopsies at Epoch Medical Imaging, St Ives. Real-time needle guidance for accuracy and safety. Serving the North Shore — Turramurra, Gordon, Pymble & surrounds.
What Procedures Are Performed Under Ultrasound Guidance?
Ultrasound allows the radiologist to watch the needle on screen as it moves through the tissue, so it can be placed exactly where it needs to go. This turns a procedure that would otherwise rely on surface landmarks into one guided by direct vision.
Ultrasound-guided procedures at Epoch Medical Imaging include:
- Corticosteroid (cortisone) injections
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Aspiration and drainage of cysts, bursae and fluid collections
- Hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder
- Barbotage for calcific tendinopathy
- Fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules, breast lesions and lymph nodes
- Core biopsy of breast and soft tissue lesions
- Tendon sheath and nerve injections
All procedures are performed by experienced radiologists at our St Ives Shopping Village facility, with a report sent to your referring doctor.
Why Ultrasound Guidance Matters
The difference between a guided and an unguided procedure is accuracy — and accuracy determines both how well the treatment works and how safe it is.
The advantages of ultrasound guidance:
- The needle is visible in real time throughout the procedure
- Medication is delivered precisely to the target rather than to the general area
- Nearby blood vessels, nerves and tendons can be seen and avoided
- It involves no radiation, unlike fluoroscopic or CT guidance
- Studies consistently show better accuracy than landmark-guided technique
- For biopsies, tissue is sampled from the most representative part of the lesion
Your referring doctor will discuss with you whether a guided procedure is appropriate, and our radiologists will confirm the plan on the day.
Preparation, Safety & Aftercare
Our team will give you specific instructions when you book, based on the procedure your doctor has requested.
Before your appointment:
- Tell us if you take blood-thinning medication — this may need adjusting before a biopsy, and only your doctor should advise on that.
- Tell us about any allergies, including to local anaesthetic.
- Take your other regular medications as normal unless advised otherwise.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home for some procedures — our team will let you know if this applies.
On the day:
- The skin is cleaned and local anaesthetic is used for most procedures.
- The radiologist guides the needle under continuous ultrasound vision.
- Most procedures take 15 to 30 minutes.
- You will be observed briefly afterwards before going home.
Afterwards:
- Mild soreness at the site for 24 to 48 hours is normal and usually settles with rest.
- Corticosteroid injections may take several days to take full effect.
- Contact your doctor or our team if you develop increasing pain, redness, swelling or a fever.
- Biopsy results are sent to your referring doctor, who will discuss them with you.
To book at Epoch Medical Imaging, St Ives Shopping Village, call (02) 9129 6999.
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Have a question or ready to book? Our friendly team is here to help with appointments, referrals and any imaging enquiries you may have.
Working Hours
Monday - Wednesday, Friday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday - 08:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Saturday - 08:30 AM - 1:00 PM