11-gauge Vacuum-assisted Breast Biopsy Research Articles

Value of stereotactic 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy in non-palpable suspicious calcifications: an eight-year single institution experience with 587 patients.

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) has been routinely recommended for stereotactic intervention in cases of isolate mammographically-detected calcifications. Herein we aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic consistency and accuracy of calcified and noncalcified specimens obtained from same sites of sampling on mammography-visible calcifications. In addition, we presented the biopsy procedure and retrospectively evaluated the usefulness of VABB as well as the complications of this technique over an eight-year experience in our centre. This single-institution observational cohort study included 587 patients referred for stereotactic 11-gauge VABB of 594 mammographically-detected calcifications between January 2010 and December 2018. The rate of histopathological underestimation, the false negative, the diagnostic consistency and accuracy between calcified and noncalcified specimens of VABB were comprehensively evaluated based on the surveillance data and final histopathological result of the surgical specimens. In total, 594 biopsy procedures were performed in 587 patients (mean age 46 years, range, 21-80 years). The average number of biopsy specimens was 14.7 (range, 9-21) per lesion. VABB pathological results revealed 471 (79.3%) benign, 39 (6.6%) high-risk, and 84 (14.1%) malignant cases. The diagnostic inconsistency between calcified and noncalcified specimens was 14.6% (105/123) for high-risk and malignant lesions. Furthermore, calcified specimens exhibited higher diagnostic accuracy of malignant lesion as compared with the noncalcified specimens (97.7% versus 82.6%, respectively). Underestimation rate for high-risk lesions and in situ carcinoma was 5.1% and 54.1%, respectively, along with a false negative rate of 6.25%. In addition, mild complications were reported with high patient tolerance. Stereotactic 11G-VABB might be preferred for the investigation of non-palpable mammographically-detected calcifications in terms of accuracy and safety profile. The high prevalence of diagnostic discordance between the specimens with and without calcifications revealed a higher value of calcified specimens in diagnosing high-risk and malignant calcifications.

Stereotactic 9-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, how many specimens are needed?

PurposeTo determine the minimum number of stereotactic 9-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy specimens required to establish a final histopathological biopsy diagnosis of mammographically suspicious breast lesions. MethodsThis prospective single-center observational cohort study included 120 women referred for stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy of 129 mammographically suspicious lesions between December 2017 and October 2018. Stereotactic 9-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy was performed, acquiring twelve specimens per lesion. Calcification retrieval was assessed with individual specimen radiography. Each specimen was histologically analyzed in chronological order and findings were compared with the final histopathological result after assessment of all twelve specimens and with results of surgical excision. Cumulative diagnostic yield per specimen was calculated. ResultsIn total, 131 biopsy procedures were performed in 120 women (mean age 59 years). In 95% (95%CI 90%–98%) of the procedures a final histopathological diagnosis was reached after six specimens. After nine specimens the final biopsy diagnosis was established in all 131 cases. In the subgroup of 41 patients with a DCIS or invasive diagnosis at biopsy there were eight procedures (20%) where calcifications were retrieved before the diagnostic specimen was obtained. Underestimation of subsequent resection diagnosis occurred in six out of 30 excised lesions classified as DCIS (20%) and in one out of four excised high-risk lesions. ConclusionsWith six stereotactic 9-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy specimens a final histopathological biopsy diagnosis could be established in 95% (95%CI 90%–98%) of the biopsy procedures. Taking nine 9-gauge specimens seems to be optimal. Ending the stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy procedure as soon as calcifications are retrieved may cause false negative results.

Accelerated Tissue Processing With Minimal Formalin Fixation Time for 9-Gauge Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy Specimens.

ObjectivesVacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) of the breast seems unsuitable for rapid processing due to large size. We tested microwave-based acceleration.MethodsAs a proof-of-principle study, 9-gauge VAB specimens were taken from eight mastectomy specimens. Forty-two biopsy specimens were processed. Quality of H&E was evaluated in 84 slides, and estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), E-cadherin, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) stains were evaluated in six slides. Preoperative biopsy specimens were used as a control.ResultsDiagnostic quality of H&E slides was good in 87%, reasonable in 12%, and low in 1%. Quality of E-cadherin was good in 75% and reasonable in 25%. Quality of ER was good in 83% and reasonable in 17%. PR and both HER2 immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization were good in all slides. Quality of experimental slides was similar to control slides.ConclusionsNine-gauge VAB specimens can be processed within 4 hours. Slides are suitable for all routine pathologic stains. This enables a same-day diagnosis.

Overstated Harms of Breast Cancer Screening? A Large Outcomes Analysis of Complications Associated With 9-Gauge Stereotactic Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy.

The purpose of this study was to assess the rate, type, and severity of complications related to 9-gauge stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (SVAB) and to delineate associated factors that may contribute to a higher rate of complications. This retrospective study included 4776 patients who underwent SVAB between 2003 and 2016. A total of 319 patients with documented postbiopsy complications were identified. Complications were subcategorized as bleeding, pain, lightheadedness, bruising, and other complications, and their severity was classified as minor, moderate, or severe. Hematoma volumes were correlated with biopsy location and complication severity. A group of control subjects who underwent SVAB but had no complications was compared with the group of study patients with regard to age, biopsy location, lesion type, and pathologic findings. Postbiopsy screening adherence was assessed. Statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman rank correlation tests. Of the 319 patients with complications who were identified (representing 6.7% of the 4776 patients who underwent SVAB), 307 (96.2%) had mild complications, 12 (3.8%) had moderate complications, and no patients had severe complications. The most common complication was bleeding or hematoma (89.3% of patients [285/319]), followed by pain (6.9% [22/319]), lightheadedness (0.9% [3/319]), bruising (0.9% [3/319]), and other complications (1.9% [6/319]). No significant differences were noted between the study group and the control group in terms of age (p = 0.474), biopsy location (p = 0.065), histologic findings (p = 0.056), or lesion type (p = 0.568). Hematoma volume (median, 7.5 cm3) did not correspond to the severity of complications. Larger hematoma volumes were associated with a posterior biopsy location (p = 0.008). The rate of return to annual screening after biopsy was not adversely affected by the presence of biopsy complications. Clinically significant complications associated with SVAB were exceedingly rare (0.3%) in this large study spanning 13 years.

Histological underestimation of a 9-gauge stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy system compared with surgical excision at a tertiary hospital in South Africa

Background: Breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Certain lesions encountered on mammography require histological assessment of biopsy samples to identify benign versus malignant disease. Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (SVAB) is a useful technique, especially for non-palpable microcalcific lesions, and was introduced at our institution in 2011.Objectives: To determine whether the histological underestimation from 9-gauge SVABs performed at our institution is within acceptable limits.Method: In this cross-sectional study, 9-gauge stereotactic biopsy histology results and breast imaging and reporting data system (BI-RADS) findings of 158 lesions (from 153 patients) were analysed and the histological findings compared with surgical excision histology results (54 lesions) to determine histological underestimation (upgrade rates).Results: One out of eight cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was underestimated, yielding a DCIS underestimation rate of 12.5%.Conclusion: The DCIS underestimation obtained from the present study in our institution was on a par with other authors’ findings and was therefore within acceptable limits. Atypical ductal hyperplasia underestimation could not be reliably obtained with the small study population.Keywords: Stereotactic vacuum assisted breast biopsy; histological underestimation; histological upgrade

Real-time virtual sonography (RVS)-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for lesions initially detected with breast MRI

To report on our initial experiences with a new method of real-time virtual sonography (RVS)-guided 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for lesions that were initially detected with breast MRI. RVS-guided 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy is performed when a lesion with suspicious characteristics is initially detected with breast MRI and is occult on mammography, sonography, and physical examination. Live sonographic images were co-registered to the previously loaded second-look spine contrast-enhanced breast MRI volume data to correlate the sonography and MR images. Six lesions were examined in six consecutive patients scheduled to undergo RVS-guided 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy. One patient was removed from the study because of non-visualization of the lesion in the second-look spine contrast-enhanced breast MRI. Five patients with non-mass enhancement lesions were biopsied. The lesions ranged in size from 9 to 13mm (mean 11mm). The average procedural time, including the sonography and MR image co-registration time, was 25min. All biopsies resulted in tissue retrieval. One was fibroadenomatous nodules, and those of four were fibrocystic changes. There were no complications during or after the procedures. RVS-guided 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsies provide a safe and effective method for the examination of suspicious lesions initially detected with MRI.

Underestimation of Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia and Lobular Carcinoma in Situ at Stereotaxic 11-Gauge Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy

The aims of this study are to determine the frequency of diagnosis of atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) at stereotaxic-guided 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) and to assess the rate of underestimation of these at subsequent surgical excision and follow-up. Moreover, we aimed to define clinical, radiological and histological features of nonpalpable lesions in core biopsies that predict the lesion upgrade. Retrospective review of 11-gauge VABB was performed to identify the underestimation rate of nonpalpable lesions diagnosed as ALH or LCIS at VABB. Thirteen cases of ALH and 36 cases of LCIS were sent to surgery, 29 cases of ALH and 14 cases of LCIS were sent to follow-up. The clinical, mammographic and histologic features were assessed. The correlation between mammographic BI-RADS score and histological B-classification for both ALH and LCIS lesions were performed by Pearson's test. Of 1,765 patients enrolled, lobular lesions (ALH and/or LCIS) occurred in 82 cases, and underestimation arose in 9 (10.9%). Two cases of underestimated ALH were upgraded to invasive lobular carcinoma and one to invasive ductal carcinoma. One case of underestimated LCIS was upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ, two to invasive ductal carcinoma and three to invasive lobular carcinoma. The histology of the core and surgical specimens were compared. A significant difference was seen in the BI-RADS score (4–5 in 91% of underestimated lesions), and the size of the lesions (≥ 1.5 cm) for underestimated cases versus accurately diagnosed cases (p<0.001). Further significant parameters predictive for malignancy were the incomplete lesion removal by VABB and the presence of associated different breast lesions in the specimen. In conclusion, as far as ALH is concerned, we propose surgery as first choice when at least one of the following condition is respected: positive history for breast carcinoma, lesion >1.5cm, co-presence of high-risk lesions in the sample, signs of ductal involvement, high histological grading for atypia and follow-up in the other cases. Surgery is recommended in all cases of LCIS:

Usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy in Korean women: a pilot study

BackgroundMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy is the technique of choice for lesions that are visible only with breast MRI. The purpose of this study was to report our clinical experience with MRI-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy in Korean women.MethodsA total of 13 patients with 15 lesions for MRI-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy were prospectively entered into this study between September 2009 and November 2011. Biopsy samples were obtained in a 3-T magnet using a 9-guage MRI-compatible vacuum-assisted biopsy device. We evaluated clinical indications for biopsy, lesion characteristics on prebiopsy MRI, pathologic results, and postbiopsy complication status.ResultsThe clinical indications for MRI-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy were as follows: abnormalities in patients with interstitial mammoplasty on screening MRI (n = 10); preoperative evaluation of patients with a recently diagnosed cancer (n = 3); and suspicious recurrence on follow-up MRI after cancer surgery (n = 1) or chemotherapy (n = 1). All lesions have morphologic features suspicious or highly suggestive of malignancy by the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category of MRI (C4a = 12, C4b = 2, C5 = 1). In two of the 15 lesions (13.3%, <6 mm), MRI-guided 9-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy was deferred due to nonvisualization of the MRI findings that led to biopsy and the lesions were stable or disappeared on follow up so were considered benign. Of 13 biopsied lesions, pathology revealed four malignancies (4/13, 30.8%; mean size 15.5 mm) and nine benign lesions (9/13, 69.2%; size 14.2 mm). Immediate postprocedural hematoma (mean size 23.5 mm) was observed in eight out of 13 patients (61.5%) and was controlled conservatively.ConclusionsOur initial experience of MRI-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy showed a success rate of 86.7% and a cancer diagnosis rate of 30.8%, which was quite satisfactory. MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy is a safe and effective tool for the workup of suspicious lesions seen on breast MRI alone without major complication. This biopsy may contribute to the early diagnosis of breast cancer in interstitial mammoplasty patients in Korea.

Outcome Analysis of 9-Gauge MRI-Guided Vacuum-Assisted Core Needle Breast Biopsies

The purpose of this article is to correlate 9-gauge MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy with surgical histologic findings to determine the upgrade rate and to correlate the frequency of MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy cancer diagnosis with breast MRI indications and enhancement characteristics of targeted lesions. A database search was performed of all MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsies performed from January 1, 2005, to September 31, 2010. The breast MRI indications, history, age, risk factors, lesion size, enhancement characteristics, and pathologic diagnoses at MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy and at surgery were documented. Fisher exact test and analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. A total of 218 lesions underwent MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy in 197 women (mean age, 52 years; range, 28-76 years), of which 85 (39%) had surgical correlation. Of the 218 lesions, 48 (22%) were malignant, 133 (61%) were benign, and 37 (17%) were high risk according to MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. Ten of 85 lesions (12%) were upgraded to malignancy at surgery, with a final malignancy rate of 25%. The frequency of malignancy was significantly higher in patients presenting for diagnostic (50/177 [28%]) versus screening (4/41 [10%]; p < 0.05) evaluation, patients with ipsilateral cancer (22/49 [45%]; p < 0.001), and lesions with washout kinetics (34/103 [33%]; p < 0.05) and was relatively higher in lesions with nonmasslike enhancement (26/76 [34%]; p = 0.07), which represented ductal carcinoma in situ in the majority of cases (17/26 [65%]; p < 0.005). Patients with ipsilateral cancer who have additional suspicious lesions identified on MRI require careful evaluation and biopsy to exclude additional sites of cancer that may impact surgical management.

Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Diagnosed at 11-Gauge Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy Performed on Suspicious Clustered Microcalcifications: Could Patients Without Residual Microcalcifications Be Managed Conservatively?

The purpose of our study was to establish whether it might be safe for women with a diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) at stereotactically guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy without any residual microcalcification after the procedure to undergo mammographic follow-up instead of surgical biopsy. From October 2003 to January 2009, 1173 consecutive 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy procedures were performed. ADH was found in the specimens of 114 patients who underwent vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for a single cluster of suspicious microcalcifications smaller than 15 mm; 49 had residual microcalcifications, and 65 had microcalcifications completely removed by the procedure. Of 49 patients with residual microcalcifications, 41 underwent surgical biopsy. Of 65 patients without residual microcalcifications, 26 underwent surgical biopsy, 35 were not surgically treated and were managed conservatively with mammographic follow-up, and 4 had follow-up of less than 24 months. In 41 patients with residual microcalcifications who underwent surgical biopsy, 8 malignant lesions were found at surgery. The underestimation rate was 20% (8/41). In 26 patients without residual microcalcifications who underwent surgical biopsy, no malignant lesions were found. One malignant lesion was found in the 35 patients managed conservatively at follow-up. The underestimation rate in patients without residual microcalcifications using surgical biopsy or mammographic follow-up as the reference standard was 1.6% (1/61). Patients without residual microcalcifications after vacuum-assisted breast biopsy could possibly be managed in a conservative way with mammographic follow-up.

Papillary Lesions Initially Diagnosed at Ultrasound-guided Vacuum-assisted Breast Biopsy: Rate of Malignancy Based on Subsequent Surgical Excision

To prospectively determine the rate of malignancy after surgery in papillary lesions initially diagnosed at ultrasound (US)-guided 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsies. Between May 2007 and December 2009, a total of 85 papillary lesions, including 73 benign papillomas and 12 atypical papillomas were diagnosed in 83 patients by US-guided 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. Surgical excision was recommended for all patients and 60 nonmalignant papillary lesions (49 benign papillomas and 11 atypical papillomas) in 60 patients (age range, 24-66years; mean age, 45.0years) were surgically excised. On a per-lesion basis, the upgrade rate to malignancy was calculated. Associations between clinical, lesion, and biopsy variables and the results of surgical excision were examined with a χ(2) test. Surgical excision revealed the presence of benign papillomas in 34 cases, no residual lesion in 15 cases, atypical papillomas in nine cases, and ductal carcinoma-in-situ in two cases. The upgrade rate was 0% (0 of 49; 95% confidence interval 0-7.2) for benign papillomas and 18.2% (2 of 11; 95% confidence interval 2.3-51.8) for atypical papillomas. The core findings of atypical papillomas (P=0.031) and age (P=0.046) were associated with malignancy at excision, whereas personal or family history, presence of symptoms, multiplicity, lesion type, size, distance from the nipple, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category, and lesion removal at US showed no correlation to upgrade. Surgical excision may not be required for lesions with a diagnosis of benign papilloma after US-guided 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, and a diagnosis of atypical papilloma should prompt excision for a definitive diagnosis.

Clip placement after an 11-gauge vacuum-assisted stereotactic breast biopsy: correlation between breast thickness and clip movement

To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of clip placement on the basis of measurements obtained on pre- and post-vacuum-assisted 11-gauge stereotactic biopsy mammograms and to analyze the factors that can predict which patients will experience a significant movement of the clip. The pre- and post-vacuum-assisted 11-guage stereotactic biopsy mammographic findings in 204 cases undergoing clip placement were reviewed. The clip-to-lesion distance was measured. The correlations between the clinical-mammographic findings and the likelihood of clip movement were evaluated. Target mammographic lesion types of the 204 cases were characterized as calcification in all but one case, which was a distortion lesion. The clip-to-lesion distance was within 5 mm on both the craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique projections in 119 (58%) cases, within 6-10 mm in 28 (14%), within 11-19 mm in 25 (12%), and was > 20 mm in 32 (16%). The variability of the clip-to-lesion distance was greatest in the plane orthogonal to the compression plane used for stereotactic biopsy. Breast thickness was the only factor that was predictive of a significant movement of the clip, and thin breasts tended to exhibit greater clip movement. Breast thickness may be a useful factor for predicting the degree of clip movement after 11-gauge vacuum-assisted stereotactic biopsy.

The causes of failure in removing calcium in ‘microcalcification only’ lesions at 11-gauge stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy

The aim of this study was to determine the causes and rate of failure in removing calcification in microcalcification-only lesions using 11-gauge stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. In total, 1365 microcalcification-only lesions were included in this study. The breast biopsy database was reviewed retrospectively. The biopsies were divided into two groups based on whether the specimen X-ray showed calcium within the cores. Breast composition, lesion size, calcification distribution, density on mammography, and the number of specimens were compared between the two groups. In 11 (0.8%) biopsies, no calcium in the specimen radiography could be identified. Re-biopsy was performed in five cases. The initial biopsy result was unchanged at the second biopsy in three cases containing calcium, while in the other two cases, a benign biopsy result was upgraded to atypical ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ, respectively. In six cases, the biopsy was not repeated despite the absence of calcium in the specimen X-ray. In three of these cases, calcifications were reported histopathologically and deemed to be too small to be identified on specimen X-ray. In two of six patients, sufficient information was found in the cores without microcalcification to indicate the need for surgery. One patient refused re-biopsy. A statistically significant higher failure rate was observed in low-density calcification compared with intermediate or high-density calcification on mammography. The failure to retrieve microcalcification is uncommon when an 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy is used. Low-density calcifications have a higher rate of failure. In cases in which no calcium is observed in specimen radiography, repeated biopsy is recommended.

Risk of Upgrade of Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia after Stereotactic Breast Biopsy: Effects of Number of Foci and Complete Removal of Calcifications

To determine if patients with fewer than three foci of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) who have all of their calcifications removed after stereotactic 9- or 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) have a rate of upgrade to malignancy that is sufficiently low to obviate surgical excision. An institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective review of 991 cases of consecutive 9- or 11-gauge stereotactic VABB performed during a 65-month period revealed 147 cases of atypia. One pathologist performed a blinded review of the results of procedures performed to assess for calcifications and confirmed ADH in 101 cases with subsequent surgical excision. Each large duct or terminal duct-lobular unit containing ADH was considered a focus and counted. Postbiopsy mammograms were reviewed to determine whether all calcifications were removed. Upgrade to malignancy was determined from excisional biopsy pathology reports. Upgrade rates as a function of both number of foci and presence or absence of residual calcifications were calculated and compared by using chi(2) tests. Upgrade to malignancy occurred in 20 (19.8%) of the 101 cases. The upgrade rate was significantly higher in cases of three or more foci of ADH (15 [28%] of 53 cases) than in cases of fewer than three foci (five [10%] of 48 cases) (P = .02). Upgrade rates were similar, regardless of whether all mammographic calcifications were removed (seven [17%] of 41 cases) or all were not removed (nine [20%] of 45 cases) (P = .77). Upgrade occurred in two (12%) of 17 cases in which there were fewer than three ADH foci and all calcifications were removed. The upgrade rate is significantly higher when ADH involves at least three foci. Surgical excision is recommended even when ADH involves fewer than three foci and all mammographic calcifications have been removed, because the upgrade rate is 12%.

Flat Epithelial Atypia and Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia: Carcinoma Underestimation Rate

This study was carried out to determine the underestimation rate of carcinoma upon surgical biopsy after a diagnosis of flat epithelial atypia and atypical ductal hyperplasia and 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. A retrospective review was conducted of 476 vacuum-assisted breast biopsy performed from May 2005 to January 2007 and a total of 70 cases of atypia were identified. Fifty cases (71%) were categorized as pure atypical ductal hyperplasia, 18 (26%) as pure flat epithelial atypia and two (3%) as concomitant flat epithelial atypia and atypical ductal hyperplasia. Each group were compared with the subsequent open surgical specimens. Surgical biopsy was performed in 44 patients with atypical ductal hyperplasia, 15 patients with flat epithelial atypia, and two patients with flat epithelial atypia and atypical ductal hyperplasia. Five cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia were upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ, three cases of flat epithelial atypia yielded one ductal carcinoma in situ and two cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, and one case of flat epithelial atypia/atypical ductal hyperplasia had invasive ductal carcinoma. The overall rate of malignancy was 16% for atypical ductal hyperplasia (including flat epithelial atypia/atypical ductal hyperplasia patients) and 20% for flat epithelial atypia. The presence of flat epithelial atypia and atypical ductal hyperplasia at biopsy requires careful consideration, and surgical excision should be suggested.

Can galactography-guided stereotactic, 11-gauge, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy of intraductal lesions serve as an alternative to surgical biopsy?

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of galactography-guided, stereotactic, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) for the assessment of intraductal breast lesions and its potential as a therapeutic tool that could eliminate the need for surgical excision. Eighteen patients (median age 64 years, range 37-80) with nipple discharge and galactography-verified intraductal lesions underwent galactography-guided, stereotactic, 11-gauge VABB followed by surgery. Histopathology findings from VABB and subsequent surgery were compared. Underestimation and false-negative rates were assessed. After VABB, histopathology revealed invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in three (17%), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in six (33%), high-risk lesions in six (33%) and benign lesions in three (17%) cases. After surgical biopsy, histopathology confirmed the previously established diagnosis in 11 lesions (61%). The underestimation rate for high-risk lesions and DCIS was 50% (6/12). The false-negative rate was 7% (1/14). Histopathology examination after surgery showed that not a single lesion had been completely removed at VABB. Galactography-guided VABB is a feasible diagnostic tool. However, its value as a therapeutic procedure is limited because of the high number of underestimated and missed lesions and because of the histopathological detection of lesions' remnants in every case. Surgical excision should be the therapeutic gold standard in cases of pathological nipple discharge and galactography abnormalities.

Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for suspicious microcalcifications: indications of clip deployment and reasons of clip dislocation

Objective To analyze the indications of clip deployment and influencing factors for clip dislocation immediately after stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. Methods One hundred and fourteen microcalcifications in 108 women aged 35 to 85 years old (median 63 years) underwent 11-gauge stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. Every lesion was marked on biopsy site with Gel Mark Ultra clips (n = 82) or MicroMark Ⅱ clips ( n = 32) after biopsy. All microcalcifications were classified 3 mono-focal groups: 20 mm and one muhi-focal group according to its diameter and distribution. The distances between clips and biopsy sites were directly measured on post-biopsy craniocaudal and mediolateral mammograms. The distance was recorded as 20 mm. Results 88% (22/25) of mono-focal microcalcifications smaller than 10 mm and 70% (14/20) of mono-focal microcalcifications measured 10--20 mm were completely removed on mammograms, whereas none of mono-focal microcalcifications larger than 20 mm (n = 17) was completely removed. 65.8% (75/114) of the clips were accurately located. Thirty-nine clips were dislocated on at least one projection with 87.2% (34/39) of the clips dislocated only along the needle track, which is called effect. Hematoma was found in 4 patients, and the clip was accurately localized only in one case with hematoma, Conclusions Clips should be deployed as a standard procedure for mono-focal microcalcifications smaller than 20 mm and all multi-focal mierocalcifications. The major reasons for clip dislocation immediately after biopsy are the accordion effect and hematoma. Key words: Breast ; Calcinosis ; Biopsy, needle

Imaging–Histologic Discordance at MRI-Guided 9-Gauge Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy

Imaging–Histologic Discordance at MRI-Guided 9-Gauge Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy

Is Surgical Excision Necessary for Focal Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Found at Stereotactic Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy?

Our goal was to determine the upgrade rate for lesions described as focal atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) after 9- or 11-gauge stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) to determine whether surgical excision is indicated in this setting. We retrospectively reviewed the results of 991 consecutive 9- or 11-gauge stereotactic core VABB procedures from February 2001 through June 2006 and identified lesions diagnosed as ADH. On the basis of the descriptions in pathology reports each lesion was placed in one of three categories: (1) focal ADH, (2) ADH suspicious for ductal carcinoma-in-situ, or (3) ADH not otherwise specified. The final diagnosis after surgical excisional biopsy was determined from medical records. The frequencies and upgrade rates to carcinoma were calculated and compared for all lesions and for each ADH category. A total of 141 (14.2%) of 991 lesions yielded ADH at stereotactic core VABB, and 123 (87.2%) of 141 underwent surgical excisional biopsy of the stereotactic core VABB site. A total of 56 (45.5%) of 123 were categorized as focal ADH, and 7 (12.5%) of 56 were upgraded to carcinoma. A total of 49 (39.8%) of 123 were categorized as ADH not otherwise specified, and 11 (22.4%) of 49 were upgraded. Eighteen (14.6%) of 123 were categorized as suspicious for ductal carcinoma-in-situ, and 8 (44.4%) of 18 were upgraded. Neither the frequency of ADH (P = .66) nor the upgrade rates (P = .87) were significantly different between 9- and 11-gauge VABB. Surgical excisional biopsy is indicated to exclude carcinoma in cases of focal ADH discovered at 9- or 11-gauge VABB.

Lesions Too Close to the Chest Wall: A Relative Contraindication for Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy

Lesions Too Close to the Chest Wall: A Relative Contraindication for Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy is a minimally invasive technique with ever-growing use for the diagnosis of mammographically detected, nonpalpable breast lesions. This tech nique can be mammographically, sonographically, or MRI guided [1]. However, not all breast lesions can be sampled by vacuumassisted breast biopsy. For instance, proximity of a lesion to the chest wall has been described as a factor inhibiting the accomplishment of the stereotactic biopsy [2]. In this letter, we present our experience with a modified way of performing stereo tactic 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (with the patient prone on the Fischer’s table) on lesions in proximity to the chest wall. During a 19-month period (September 2005–March 2007), 38 lesions in proximity to the chest wall were sampled. It is worth mentioning that there has been no case of failure since the adoption of the modifications described for this procedure. The important steps of the modified procedure are the following. First: the plastic paddle should be removed from the Fischer’s table. Second: the arm ipsilateral to the breast to be biopsied should be stretched on and along the patient’s back (normally the hand lies at the side of the patient). During positioning of the patient, force should be exerted onto the shoulder toward the aperture of the Fischer’ table where the breast is hanging (Fig. 1). Third: to assure the stability of the arm, the woman should be informed about the problem and the modified biopsy procedure and should be encouraged to stay immobile. Fourth: the corners of the aperture of the compression paddle should be marked on the patient’s skin with a pen to ensure the immobility of the patient. In conclusion, lesions in proximity to the chest wall seem not to constitute an absolute contraindication of vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (Fig. 2). Flora Zagouri Theodoros N. Sergentanis Hippokratio Hospital University of Athens Athens, Greece George C. Zografos School of Medicine University of Athens Athens, Greece