What is the role of fiducial markers in radiology-guided procedures?

• A. Mark the lesion location for precise targeting during image-guided biopsies or ablations.
• B. Mark the patient's identity on the skin.
• C. Serve as contrast agents in MRI.
• D. Assist in anesthesia administration.

Answer: (A)

Fiducial markers provide fixed reference points on or near a lesion that appear clearly on imaging. In radiology-guided procedures, these markers create a reliable coordinate framework the clinician uses to plan and guide needle placement with high accuracy. Because the markers stay in the same position relative to the target, they help align images from different modalities or sessions and, in real time, track motion (like breathing) to ensure the needle reaches the exact spot for biopsy or tissue ablation. They are not used to identify a patient on the skin, nor are they contrast agents for MRI, and they do not play a role in administering anesthesia.