Which statement about core needle biopsy is true?

• A. It is the first-line choice for vascular liver lesions like hemangioma.
• B. It has less bleeding risk than FNA.
• C. It is most commonly used for liver biopsy and uses a 14-18 gauge needle.
• D. It is used only for prostate biopsies.

Answer: (C)

Core needle biopsy provides a tissue core with preserved architecture, which is essential when histology and tissue structure guide diagnosis and management. For liver biopsy, this approach is the standard, typically using a relatively large-gauge needle to obtain meaningful tissue—commonly 14 to 18 gauge. This size allows evaluation of liver parenchyma, fibrosis, and focal lesions in a way that fine-needle aspiration, which collects cells and lacks architectural context, cannot. Biopsy of vascular liver lesions such as a hemangioma is generally avoided because of bleeding risk, so this method is not first-line there. Also, core needle biopsy is not restricted to the prostate; it’s widely used for many organs, including the liver. So the statement that it is most commonly used for liver biopsy and uses a 14–18 gauge needle is true.