THE DIAGNOSTIC-ACCURACY OF CORE BIOPSY IN PALPABLE AND NON-PALPABLE BREAST-LESIONS

Objective: To assess the accuracy of large-core needle biopsy in evalu ating palpable and nonpalpable breast lesions. Methods ann patients: S tereotaxic and ultrasound (US) guided core biopsies were performed in 103 blt ast lesions in 97 patients. Subsequently, all patients underwe nt surgery. All specimens (core biopsy and surgical) underwent radiogr aphy for evaluation of microcalcifications. The histopathologic findin gs of the core biopsies and the surgical specimens were correlated. Re sults: Core biopsies and surgery findings were concordant in 100% of t he 27 palpable lesions and in 89% of the 76 nonpalpable lesions. One c ase of malignancy, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), was not diagnosed by core biopsy. In 102 (99%) of the 103 breast lesions, a correct choi ce for additional diagnostic procedure or definitive treatment could h ave been made upon histopathologic findings of core biopsy. Conclusion : Stereotaxic and ultrasound-guided core biopsy are safe, reliable and less traumatic than excisional biopsy. Special attention is necessary when atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) or DCIS without invasive carci noma is found. Radiography of the biopsy specimens for detection of mi crocalcifications is essential. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.