A PHANTOM FOR STEREOTAXIC NEEDLE-BIOPSY

A variety of automated systems for stereotactic localisation of breast tumours and automated needle placement have become available. This si tuation has created the need for a phantom which can be used for opera tor training and to verify the proper operation of the system. A gel-b ased phantom with simulated tumours which are radiopaque and contain a liquid dye which can be aspirated by a needle has been produced. The water-based gel material is a good representation of average tissue. T he tumour size is 2 mm. Technologists have found the phantom useful fo r practice, and it has increased confidence in the needle placement sy stem. The phantom is inexpensive and can contain up to 20 simulated tu mours, each of which can be used once. We urge that no stereotactic bi opsy system be supplied without such a phantom.