Evaluation of a turkey-breast phantom for teaching freehand, US-guided core-needle breast biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
Use of a turkey-breast phantom for developing freehand ultrasound (US)-guided core-needle biopsy skills was evaluated.


METHODS
Thirteen diagnostic radiology trainees with varied experience in freehand US-guided breast core-needle biopsy were given instruction and allowed to practice the technique in a turkey-breast phantom. Three attempts were made before and after instruction and practice, and a questionnaire regarding experience, confidence, and anxiety was administered after these attempts. Technique, accuracy, and completion time were evaluated.


RESULTS
Confidence related to procedure performance increased (P < .01), but the change in anxiety was not statistically significant. Accuracy improved, with the target being obtained in 87% of passes performed after instruction and practice versus 56% initially. Difficulty with visualizing the core needle sonographically during phantom biopsy decreased from 49% to 5% of attempts. Needle positioning perpendicular to the chest wall was observed initially in 38% of passes but was not observed after instruction and practice. There was no statistically significant change in time to complete biopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
For teaching US-guided breast core-needle biopsy, use of a turkey-breast phantom helps improve technique, accuracy, and confidence of diagnostic radiology trainees.
Harvey
J A
JA
Department of Radiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
Moran
R E
RE
Hamer
M M
MM
DeAngelis
G A
GA
Omary
R A
RA
D000818:Animals; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008460:Meat; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014422:Turkeys; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional