A STEREOTAXIC TARGETING DEVICE IN VACUUM-CORE BREAST BIOPSY - A NEW METHOD IN PERCUTANEOUS DIAGNOSTIC-BIOPSY DEMONSTRATED IN 120 CASES

Purpose: To test the capabilities of vacuum core biopsy (VCB) in the d iagnosis of mammographically indeterminate lesions. Materials and Meth ods: 120 patients (131 lesions) were examined using VCB with 14G or 11 G vacuum core. Results: VCB was mostly performed because of indetermin ate microcalcifications (67 cases) or soft tissue densities/architectu ral distortion (64 cases). 112 benign changes, 14 DCIS and 5 invasive carcinomas were found. Excellent accuracy was achieved (presently 100 %), since complete excision of small lesions/areas (less than or equal to 1 cm) or partial excision of larger lesions was possible. No relev ant hematomas or infections occurred. Patients tolerated the painless procedure very well. Discussion: This report confirms our previous exp eriences. This method promises to replace diagnostic open biopsy of in determinate or suspicious nonpalpable lesions.