title: Stereotaxic 14-gauge breast biopsy: how many core biopsy specimens are needed?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the optimum number of specimens to obtain at stereotaxic core breast biopsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stereotaxic biopsies were performed in 145 mammographically evident lesions by using a dedicated table with patients in the prone position. Samples were obtained with an automated gun and a 14-gauge needle. Indications for biopsy were calcifications (n = 53) and masses (n = 92). Three to 11 (mean, 5.4) core biopsy specimens were obtained per lesion and were analyzed separately.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diagnostic material was obtained in the first specimen in 102 (70%) of the 145 lesions. Obtaining two, three, four, five, and six core specimens yielded a diagnosis in 117 (81%), 129 (89%), 132 (91%), 137 (94%), and 140 (97%) of the 145 lesions, respectively. Obtaining five specimens yielded a diagnosis in 46 (87%) of the 53 calcifications and 91 (99%) of the 92 masses. Obtaining six specimens resulted in a diagnosis in 49 (92%) lesions evident as calcifications but did not improve the yield on masses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stereotaxic 14-gauge core biopsy achieved a 99% diagnostic yield with five specimens for masses. Additional specimens may be necessary to diagnose some calcified lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liberman
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Dershaw
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Abramson
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Deutch
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Hann
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008852:Microradiography; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques