Je. Meyer et al., EVALUATION OF NONPALPABLE SOLID BREAST MASSES WITH STEREOTAXIC LARGE-NEEDLE CORE BIOPSY USING A DEDICATED UNIT, American journal of roentgenology, 167(1), 1996, pp. 179-182
OBJECTIVE. In our institution for the past ii years, stereotaxic core
breast biopsy using a 14-gauge needle has been offered as an alternati
ve to surgical excision. The purpose of this paper is to describe our
protocol, results, and lessons learned from our experience. MATERIALS
AND METHODS. From August 1991 to July 1995, 388 stereotaxic needle cor
e biopsies of clinically occult, noncalcified, mammographically detect
ed solid masses were performed, In this group, 103 patients underwent
subsequent surgical excision. Another 169 have had follow-up examinati
ons 1 year or more after their biopsies. RESULTS. Of the 61 patients d
iagnosed with a malignant process on core biopsy, all had confirmation
on subsequent surgical excision. Forty-one of the 42 core biopsies th
at showed a benign process were subsequently confirmed on surgical exc
ision, One patient with atypical ductal hyperplasia on core biopsy had
ductal carcinoma in situ on surgical excision, Patients with 169 beni
gn masses on core biopsy have been followed for at least 1 year by mam
mography, Of these women, 110 have been followed for at least 2 years,
and no malignant lesions have been found. CONCLUSION. Stereotaxic lar
ge-needle core biopsy appears to be an accurate alternative to surgica
l excision for evaluating a solid breast mass, However, the mammograph
ic appearance, technical quality of the biopsy, and pathologic finding
s in each patient must be correlated to ensure the highest possible ac
curacy when using this technique.