CAT/CT guided biopsies and other minimally invasive interventions are well established medical procedures. Since the beginning of computed tomography, conventional CAT/CT imaging studies has been used to guide an interventional procedure such as a tissue biopsy of a suspected tumor or metastases.
Advanced interventional CT scanners provide fluoroscopic techniques allowing additionally the guidance of minimally invasive surgery or micro-therapy. Fluoro CT allows the continuous monitoring of the needle trajectory or inserted surgical instrument. A wide gantry opening, external tilting laser for needle guidance and special software ease the intervention.
CT images are also used to plan radiotherapy cancer treatment and determine how the disease is responding to the treatment.

A biopsy is a procedure in which tissue samples are collected. This can be done with a needle, which is inserted into the abnormal area.
An example is the needle breast biopsy. Needle biopsies are usually guided by different imaging techniques like ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Stereotactic-assisted breast biopsies use computer maps to guide the needle. The location of the breast lump is provided from digital mammograms taken from two angles.
The cells can be removed and examined under a microscope to determine whether the abnormality is cancerous.

See also CT Guided Biopsy.

Interventional radiology is an area of clinical subspecialty which uses various radiology techniques (such as fluoroscopy, ultrasound, computed tomography, and MRI procedures) to guide procedures such as a biopsy, inserting catheters, place wires, draining fluids, dilating or stenting narrowed ducts or vessels to diagnose or treat different conditions.

See also CT Guided Biopsy, Angioplasty, Coronary Angiogram and Interventional Ultrasound.