Radiologic and Ultrasound-guided Breast Intervention

Abstract

Mammographically guided (stereotactic) and ultrasound guided interventions in the breast enable rapid, minimally invasive and inexpensive tissue sampling of suspicious sites that can be identified with these imaging techniques. Accuracy is limited in processes in which limited volumes of tissue compromise diagnosis, including atypias, papillomas, in situ carcinomas, and radial scars. Accuracy of the procedures depends upon correlation of histopathology with imaging findings. In most patients with benign results, these procedures eliminate the need for any surgery. In those with malignancy, they are useful in lowering the number of surgical procedures needed to successfully treat the tumor. Complications are rare, occurring in about 0.2%, and consist of bleeding and infection. During biopsy procedures, clips should be placed if there is the possibility of total removal of the lesion; these clips facilitate preoperative localization.