Use of the site select percutaneous breast biopsy device

A new technique is described for image guided percutaneous diagnostic excis ion biopsy of non-palpable mammographically detected breast lesions. This m ethod involves insertion of a localizing guide wire under stereotactic guid ance followed by insertion of the 15 mm diameter biopsy device which is pos itioned within the breast immediately proximal to the target lesion. A cyli ndrical cannula is advanced over the lesion which is then separated from th e surrounding breast tissue by deploying a garrote wire at the distal end o f the cannula. The biopsy device is then removed with the target lesion con tained within the cannula. The mammographic lesion is excised without remov ing any excess adjacent breast tissue, and in one piece, so allowing histol ogical examination of the whole lesion. The experience of the first three c ases is described with imaging and histological correlation. (C) 2000 Harco urt Publishers Ltd.