title: Breast masses: US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
abstract: Real-time ultrasonography (US) was used to guide fine-needle aspiration biopsy of 111 breast masses and three axillary lymph nodes. The masses included 51 (45%) nonpalpable lesions. Two different guidance techniques were used, with satisfactory results. Lesions less than 1 cm in diameter could be accurately aspirated, and the method allowed quick and accurate cytologic characterization of solid breast masses. The sensitivity of the cytologic diagnosis of malignancy was 92%, and the specificity was 93%. US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of breast masses should be routinely performed, since it can lead to earlier and cost-effective diagnosis of breast carcinoma at virtually no risk. Because of the accuracy of real-time US guidance, negative cytologic findings (i.e., satisfactory smears with benign cells) should be considered highly reliable in ruling out malignancy.
mesh_terms: D000232:Adenofibroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography