The Efficacy of Stereotactic Vacuum-assisted Biopsy and Needle Localization Vacuum-assisted Biopsy for Diagnosing Breast Microcalcification

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of 2 percutaneous breast biopsy techniques for diagnosing microcalcification: stereotactic Vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) and needle localization VAB. Methods: Between November 2002 and September 2007, 138 patients underwent percu- taneous breast biopsy for microcalcification. Of these, 59 patients underwent needle localization VAB and 79 patients underwent stereotactic VAB with using a prone-table mam- mographic unit, respectively. Patients with focally clustered microcalcification underwent stereotactic VAB. Patients with diffuse or deep seated microcalcification and patients with small breast underwent needle localization VAB. We retro- spectively reviewed the characteristics of the lesions and the percutaneous biopsy results for all the cases. Results: Percutaneous biopsy was successful in 135 cases (97.8%). Of the 135 successfully performed cases, 34 cases (25.2%) were malignant and there were 4 (11.8%) underestimations. For the stereotactic VAB group, 13 of the successfully per- formed 76 cases (17.1%) were malignant and there were 2 (15.4%) underestimations. In needle localization VAB group, 21 (36.6%) of the 59 cases were malignant and there were 2 (9.5%) underestimations. There was no major complication in all the cases. Conclusion: With using stereotactic VAB and needle localization VAB, we can biopsy accurately and safely in almost all cases with leaving only minimal scar. So, percutaneous biopsy can be considered as a substitute for surgical biopsy for microcalcification of the breast.