Stereotactic and ultrasound core needle breast biopsy performed by surgeons.
BACKGROUND
The authors evaluated outcomes and treatment costs of stereotactic core needle biopsy (SCNB) and ultrasound core needle biopsy (UCNB), and needle localization biopsy (NLB) in managing patients with mammographic abnormalities presenting to the surgeon.


METHODS
Data for all patients with mammographic lesions who underwent SCNB or UCNB since their introduction at this institution were prospectively collected over 17 months. Mean inclusive costs of the three procedures were accumulated and compared.


RESULTS
Stereotactic core needle biopsy was performed for 342 lesions in 319 women, for a malignancy rate of 19%; UCNB was performed for 157 lesions in 144 patients, yielding a malignancy rate of 17%. With a mean follow-up of 13.5 months, 1 patient with in situ carcinoma was diagnosed late. Absolute cost savings for the period studied was $721,963.


CONCLUSIONS
Minimally invasive breast biopsy procedures can safely and reliably be performed by surgeons in clinical practice with increased patient convenience and decreased costs.
Roe
S M
SM
Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga Unit, 37403, USA.
Mathews
J A
JA
Burns
R P
RP
Sumida
M P
MP
Craft
P
P
Greer
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D017046:Cost Savings; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014463:Ultrasonography